Cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers as drug carrier of clindamycin

Given the importance of nanofibers in the field of pharmaceutical sciences and drug delivery applications, this study aimed to use poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers as drug carriers for clindamycin. First, PVA solution was electrospun without drug to obtain electrospinning optimum condition of reference carrier. Then, 8% PVA solution containing 2% clindamycin was electrospun under optimum conditions at 20 kV voltage, 10 cm for nozzle-to-collector distance and an injection rate of 1 mL/h. In order to control drug release and improve the surface wet ability, the prepared polymeric nanofibers were cross-linked by glutaraldehyde. The prepared mats of nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and contact angle analysis. The in vitro drug release from nanofibers into the phosphate-buffered saline solution was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography at a wavelength of 210 nm. The in vitro drug release showed that cross-linked nanofibers had a lower drug release rate in a longer time.