Testing of fast dissolution of ibuprofen from its electrospun hydrophilic polymer nanocomposites

The dissolution of poorly water-soluble drug poses a big challenge to the researchers in drug discovery. Electrospun nanofibers have been broadly demonstrated as good candidates for resolving this issue. However, the testing methods are often indiscriminate with the drug sustained release profiles. In this study, a new coaxial solid core spinneret was developed to carry out the preparation of ibuprofen (IBU)-loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers. These nanofibers have an average diameter of 740 +/- 130 nm with linear morphology, smooth surface and smooth cross-section without any solid phase separation, as verified by SEM images. XRD and DSC results suggested that IBU presented in the fibers in an amorphous state thanks to their fine compatibility, as disclosed by FTIR spectra. Four different methods (a polarized microscope, an artificial tongue, a contact angle meter, and the in vitro dissolution tests) are exploited to assess the fast dissolution properties of the fibers. Their results concurred the fine functional performances of electrospun nanofibers on improving the dissolution rate of IBU from different standpoints, with 100.3 +/- 4.2% of the loaded IBU freed into the dissolution media within the first minute. They are synergistic effects of hydrophilic polymer, large surface and porosity of electrospun nanofiber mats, and amorphous state of the drug.