Optimization of Preparation for Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes Loaded with Shikonin Nanocrystals

In this study, the chitosan(CS) and polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) based nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning technology in order to load shikonin nanocrystals. The formulation and process parameters were optimized by a single factor experiment with average particle size, polydispersity index, and stability index as the indicators. The diameter of the nanofibers, and the porosity, wettability, water vapor transmission rate and water absorption of the nanofiber membranes were characterized. After optimization, the diameter of the nanofibers was (76.30±18.34)nm; the porosity, contact angle water vapor transmission and water absorption of the membranes were (51.9±5.1)％, (47.35± 1.40)°, (0.25±0.01)g·(cm2·24 h)–1 and (180.1±41.7)％, respectively. The observation of scanning electron microscopic images showed that the diameter of the drug-loaded CS/PVA nanofibers was (82.60±22.71)nm. The drug-loaded nanofiber membranes had a utilization rate of (90.97±0.09)％ with the porosity of 50.92％. The drug release within 5 h reached more than 90％ in 1％ Tween-80 solution. In conclusion, this CS/PVA nanofiber membranes loaded with shikonin nanocrystals had the potential applications for wound dressing. © 2022, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry. All rights reserved.