Application of electrospraying as a one-step method for the fabrication of triamcinolone acetonide-PLGA nanofibers and nanobeads

The aim of the present project was to prepare triamcinolone acetonide nanofibers and nanobeads with prolonged anti-inflammatory activity. Triamcinolone acetonide-loaded PLGA nanoformulations were prepared by electrospraying method. The physicochemical and morphological properties of the fabricated nanoparticles were characterized as well. In vitro drug release of the prepared formulations was also studied. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffractometery showed that drug crystallinity was notably decreased during the electrospraying process. In vitro dissolution tests verified that the pure drug and physical mixtures had faster drug release pattern compared to the nanoformulations. Electrosprayed samples with the drug:polymer ratio of 1:10 revealed slower release profiles compared to those with a 1:5 ratio. Results obtained from SEM images of the prepared formulations indicated that polymer solution concentration was the critical parameter in the formation of fibers or beads; so that, fiber formation was increased proportionally with increasing polymer concentration. Moreover, the size of obtained nanostructures was also increased in order of polymer concentrations. As a final point, electrosprayed triamcinolone-loaded biodegradable micro/nanofibers and nanobeads with modified physicochemical characteristics and sustained drug release profiles were successfully prepared via simple, one-step and cost effective electrospraying technique. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.