Development of Drug-Loaded Nanofibrous Membranes as Anti-Adhesion Barriers

To improve current problems facing anti-adhesion products, we propose to use electrospinning to fabricate porous nanofibrous membranes as anti-adhesion barriers. Nanofibrous membranes will have microporous pores to allow diffusion of nutrients, while block penetration of cells at surgical sites to prevent adhesion formation. The membranes will also have good mechanical properties and flexibility for application at surgical sites by surgeons after surgery. Anti-adhesive molecules or anti-inflammatory drugs could be incorporated into nanofibers to develop a multi-functional anti-adhesion barrier. In this three-year project, we propose to combine two FDA approved biodegradable biopolymers with anti-adhesion properties, polycaprolactone (PCL) and hyaluronic acid (HA), to produce anti-adhesion barrier nanofibrous membranes for translational medicine study. We will characterize the physico-chemical properties of the fabricated membranes, and carry out in vitro and in vivo tests of the safety and efficacy of these membranes. The electrospun membranes will contain single or mixed polymers, multi-layered or core-shell nanofibrous membranes, and without or with drugs (ibuprofen or amoxicillin). Three kinds of membranes will be studied including (1) HA / PCL(+ibuprofen) / HA multi-layered nanofibrous membranes, (2) HA(+ibuprofen) / PCL(+amoxicillin) core/shell nanofibrous membranes, and (3) HA+mesoporous silica nanoparticle loaded with ibuprofen / PCL+ nanohydroxyapatite loaded with amoxicillin-graft-HA core/shell multi-functional nanofibrous membranes.

Project ID:PB10301-0359
External Project ID:NSC102-2320-B182-004-MY3