Formulation and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Melatonin Ocular Delivery
The poor ocular bioavailability of melatonin (MEL) limits the therapeutic action the molecule could exert in the treatment of ocular diseases. To date, no study has explored the use of nanofiber-based inserts to prolong ocular surface contact time and improve MEL delivery. Here, the electrospinning...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Pharmaceutics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/4/1296 |
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| author | Alessia Romeo Adrienn Kazsoki Safaa Omer Balázs Pinke László Mészáros Teresa Musumeci Romána Zelkó |
| author_facet | Alessia Romeo Adrienn Kazsoki Safaa Omer Balázs Pinke László Mészáros Teresa Musumeci Romána Zelkó |
| author_sort | Alessia Romeo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The poor ocular bioavailability of melatonin (MEL) limits the therapeutic action the molecule could exert in the treatment of ocular diseases. To date, no study has explored the use of nanofiber-based inserts to prolong ocular surface contact time and improve MEL delivery. Here, the electrospinning technique was proposed to prepare poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) nanofiber inserts. Both nanofibers were produced with different concentrations of MEL and with or without the addition of Tween<sup>®</sup> 80. Nanofibers morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Thermal and spectroscopic analyses were performed to characterize the state of MEL in the scaffolds. MEL release profiles were observed under simulated physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 °C). The swelling behavior was evaluated by a gravimetric method. The results confirmed that submicron-sized nanofibrous structures were obtained with MEL in the amorphous state. Different MEL release rates were achieved depending on the nature of the polymer. Fast (20 min) and complete release was observed for the PVA-based samples, unlike the PLA polymer, which provided slow and controlled MEL release. The addition of Tween<sup>®</sup> 80 affected the swelling properties of the fibrous structures. Overall, the results suggest that membranes could be an attractive vehicle as a potential alternative to liquid formulations for ocular administration of MEL. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:37:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6e1494223ed8491b89b22b2267b2930e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4923 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:37:18Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceutics |
| spelling | doaj.art-6e1494223ed8491b89b22b2267b2930e2023-11-17T20:55:31ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232023-04-01154129610.3390/pharmaceutics15041296Formulation and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Melatonin Ocular DeliveryAlessia Romeo0Adrienn Kazsoki1Safaa Omer2Balázs Pinke3László Mészáros4Teresa Musumeci5Romána Zelkó6Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, ItalyUniversity Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Administration, Semmelweis University, Högyes Endre utca 7-9, H-1092 Budapest, HungaryUniversity Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Administration, Semmelweis University, Högyes Endre utca 7-9, H-1092 Budapest, HungaryDepartment of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 3, H-1111 Budapest, HungaryDepartment of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 3, H-1111 Budapest, HungaryDepartment of Drug and Health Sciences, Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, ItalyUniversity Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Administration, Semmelweis University, Högyes Endre utca 7-9, H-1092 Budapest, HungaryThe poor ocular bioavailability of melatonin (MEL) limits the therapeutic action the molecule could exert in the treatment of ocular diseases. To date, no study has explored the use of nanofiber-based inserts to prolong ocular surface contact time and improve MEL delivery. Here, the electrospinning technique was proposed to prepare poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) nanofiber inserts. Both nanofibers were produced with different concentrations of MEL and with or without the addition of Tween<sup>®</sup> 80. Nanofibers morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Thermal and spectroscopic analyses were performed to characterize the state of MEL in the scaffolds. MEL release profiles were observed under simulated physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 °C). The swelling behavior was evaluated by a gravimetric method. The results confirmed that submicron-sized nanofibrous structures were obtained with MEL in the amorphous state. Different MEL release rates were achieved depending on the nature of the polymer. Fast (20 min) and complete release was observed for the PVA-based samples, unlike the PLA polymer, which provided slow and controlled MEL release. The addition of Tween<sup>®</sup> 80 affected the swelling properties of the fibrous structures. Overall, the results suggest that membranes could be an attractive vehicle as a potential alternative to liquid formulations for ocular administration of MEL.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/4/1296nanofibersocular insertelectrospinningPLAPVAin vitro dissolution study |
| spellingShingle | Alessia Romeo Adrienn Kazsoki Safaa Omer Balázs Pinke László Mészáros Teresa Musumeci Romána Zelkó Formulation and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Melatonin Ocular Delivery Pharmaceutics nanofibers ocular insert electrospinning PLA PVA in vitro dissolution study |
| title | Formulation and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Melatonin Ocular Delivery |
| title_full | Formulation and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Melatonin Ocular Delivery |
| title_fullStr | Formulation and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Melatonin Ocular Delivery |
| title_full_unstemmed | Formulation and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Melatonin Ocular Delivery |
| title_short | Formulation and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Melatonin Ocular Delivery |
| title_sort | formulation and characterization of electrospun nanofibers for melatonin ocular delivery |
| topic | nanofibers ocular insert electrospinning PLA PVA in vitro dissolution study |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/4/1296 |
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