Regulation of biphasic drug release behavior by graphene oxide in polyvinyl pyrrolidone/poly(ε-caprolactone) core/sheath nanofiber mats.

One of the key issues for drug delivery systems is to develop a drug carrier with a time-programmed, biphasic release behavior. Using vancomycin hydrochloride (VAN) as a model drug, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) blended with graphene oxide (GO) sheets as the core matrix, and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) as the sheath polymer, core/sheath PVP/PCL nanofiber mats were fabricated via a coaxial electrospinning process. We hypothesized that the addition of GO sheets would lead to their molecular interactions with VAN molecules, thereby adjusting the VAN release behavior. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of the fiber mats revealed their nanofibrous structure and clear core/sheath boundary. Raman analysis demonstrated the presence of GO sheets in the PVP/PCL nanofiber mats. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the formation of hydrogen bonds between GO sheets and VAN molecules. In vitro studies showed that the PVP/PCL nanofiber mats were biocompatible, despite the addition of GO sheets, and exhibited typical biphasic drug release profiles, which were tailored by adjusting the content of GO sheets. Furthermore, an antimicrobial test showed different antimicrobial activities of the medicated nanofiber mats, depending on the GO content. Collectively, the results of the present study provide a simple approach to obtaining time-programmed drug release profiles.