Electrospun Ethyl-<i>p</i>-Methoxycinnamate Loaded CS/PEG/PLA Nanofibers

Abstract

In this study, the characteristic properties and biological activities of the electrospun nanofibers made of polymers including chitosan (CS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polylactic acid (PLA) loaded with 15% of a natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC), were reported. The morphological and chemical characteristics of the fibers were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectra, respectively. The mechanical properties and hydrophilicity of the nanofibers were also investigated. Research on the release of the bioactive compound EPMC from the nanofibers in phosphate-buffered saline medium showed that about 70% of EPMC was released after 24 h. The significant anti-inflammatory effect of the nanofibers was evaluated via inhibition of nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide with an IC50 value of 41.05 +/- 1.75 mu g/mL. Besides, the nanofibers also exhibited anti-bacterial activity and were proved to be safe both in vitro and in vivo. The results suggested that the nanofibers CS/PEG/PLA loaded with ethyl p-methoxycinnamate may be a potential candidate for developing biomedical products related to inflammation.In this study, the characteristic properties and biological activities of the electrospun nanofibers made of polymers including chitosan (CS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polylactic acid (PLA) loaded with 15% of a natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC), were reported. The morphological and chemical characteristics of the fibers were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectra, respectively. The mechanical properties and hydrophilicity of the nanofibers were also investigated. Research on the release of the bioactive compound EPMC from the nanofibers in phosphate-buffered saline medium showed that about 70% of EPMC was released after 24 h. The significant anti-inflammatory effect of the nanofibers was evaluated via inhibition of nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide with an IC50 value of 41.05 +/- 1.75 mu g/mL. Besides, the nanofibers also exhibited anti-bacterial activity and were proved to be safe both in vitro and in vivo. The results suggested that the nanofibers CS/PEG/PLA loaded with ethyl p-methoxycinnamate may be a potential candidate for developing biomedical products related to inflammation.