Preparation of ultrafine fast-dissolving feruloyl-oleyl-glycerol-loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone fiber mats via electrospinning

Fast-dissolving drug delivery membranes for poorly water-soluble drugs were prepared by electrospinning using feruloyl-oleyl-glycerol (FOG) as a model drug and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K90 as a polymer matrix in a mixed solvent of chloroform/ethanol (4:1, v/v). Results from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) illustrated good compatibility between FOG and PVP as well as a good distribution of FOG within the fibers. The morphology and diameter of the fibers were influenced by the concentration of PVP and the applied voltage. When the PVP concentration was 5% (w/v) and the applied voltage was 14 kV, uniform and smooth fibers were obtained, with diameter 700–800 nm. Wetting time assays confirmed fast-dissolving properties with the average dissolution time for FOG-loaded PVP fiber membranes being 2.0 ± 1.5 s. These results demonstrate the potential of electrospinning solid dispersions to improve the dissolution profile of poorly water-soluble drugs.

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► Fast-dissolving drug delivery membranes of the poorly water-soluble drug FOG and PVP K90 were prepared by electrospinning.
► Uniform and smooth fibers with diameter 700–800 nm were obtained using the 5% (w/v) PVP concentration and 14 kV.
► Wetting time assays of FOG-loaded PVP fiber membranes were 2.0 ± 1.5 s.