Preparation and characterization of drug-loaded, electrospun nanofiber mats formulated with zein or zein-based mixtures for wound healing applications.

Electrospun zein mats are known to have poor mechanical and water uptake properties limiting their usefulness as wound dressings.
 In this study, the effects of solvent system used, incorporation polymeric additives; polyethylene glycol 20000 (PEG20K) polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVPK30); crosslinking agent Tannic Acid (TA) on characteristics – based nanofiber were investigated.
 The either PEG20K or PVPK30 resulted in an improvement vapor sorption a reduction contact-angle mats. addition, reduced ultimate tensile strength, Young’s modulus while increasing percent elongation use tannic acid led increase sorption, mats.
 Mats with smaller average fiber diameter, greater higher Young's modulus, obtained when using 80% (v/v) aqueous ethanol during preparation compared those produced 60% ethanol. solutions lower concentration strength elongation.
 Selected formulations loaded tetracycline hydrochloride drug release was evaluated bulk liquid Franz diffusion cells. cells allowed discrimination between formulation performance function composition properties. Drug from also confirmed by observing formation inhibition zone cultures E. coli S. aureus agar assay.
 Improved achieved modifiers improving suitability for dressing applications.