Reinforced electrospun nanofiber composites for drug delivery applications
Neelima Anup, Tejas Chavan, Shruti Chavan, Suryanarayana Polaka, Dnyaneshwar Kalyane, Sara Nidal Abed, Katharigatta N. Venugopala, Kiran Kalia, Rakesh Kumar Tekade
Abstract
Electrospun technology becomes a valuable means of fabricating functional polymeric nanofibers with distinctive morphological properties for drug delivery applications. Nanofibers are prepared from the polymer solution, which allows the direct incorporation of therapeutics such as small drug molecules, genes, and proteins by merely mixing them into the polymeric solution. Due to their biocompatibility, adhesiveness, sterility, and efficiency in delivering diverse cargoes, electrospun nanofibers have gained much attention. This review discusses the capabilities of the electrospun nanofibers in delivering different therapeutics like small molecules, genes, and proteins to their desired target site for treating various ailments. The potential of nanofibers in administering through multiple administration routes and the associated challenges has also been expounded along with a cross-talk about the commercial products of nanofibers for biomedical applications.