Electrospun chitosan/PVA/phosphate derivatives of L-ascorbic acid drug fibers

The skin is a protective barrier against external factors and any lesion should be rapidly and efficiently repaired. Dermal fibroblasts are the major source of extracellular connective tissue matrix and play an important role in wound healing. Vitamin C is a water-soluble free radical scavenger and is an essential co-factor for collagen synthesis by dermal fibroblasts. Thus these cells play an important role and contribute to the maintenance of a healthy skin. L-Ascorbyl-2-phosphate magnesium is a stable vitamin C derivative and overcomes the shortcoming of L-ascorbic acid which is vulnerable to be oxidization. Nanofibers of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CS/PVA) loaded with the antioxidant L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate magnesium were prepared by electrostatic spinning. The structure and morphology of the medicated nanofibers were characterized by FTIR and SEM. The results indicate that there is good compatibility between chitosan, poly(vinyl alcohol) and L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate magnesium molecules in the blended nanofibers. The sustained release of the vitamin in the medicated nanofibers could provide a new system that enhances wound healing in dermal tissue.