Controlled release of ketoprofen from electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a biodegradable hydrophilic polymer has unique properties. It absorbs water and swells easily, but the swelling is inhibited by salts. Its physico-chemical properties depend on the degree of hydrolysis. The solubility of PVA in water increases greatly as its degree of hydrolysis increases. In the current work, new systems for the delivery of ketoprofen as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) were developed. New electrospun fibers containing ketoprofen and made from partially and fully hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were developed as drug delivery system. Moreover, electrospun PVA fibers were stabilized against disintegration in water by treatment with alcohol such as methanol. The release of ketoprofen from the electrospun fibers was determined by UV spectrophotometer at the body temperature (37 degrees C) and at the room temperature (20 degrees C). The results showed that upon the treatment of electrospun PVA with alcohol, the burst release was eliminated. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.