Sustained release nanofibrous composite patch for transdermal antibiotic delivery

In this paper, Dextran, Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Graphene oxide (GO) were used to fabricate a nanofibrous transdermal patch by electrospinning for wound dressing. An antibacterial agent, tetracycline (TC) was incorporated in the composite patch. The physiochemical properties of the as-prepared nanofiber was evaluated using FTIR and SEM. Swelling index, mechanical characteristics and release profile were also examined. A uniform nanofibrous structure with 50 nm of diameter was obtained using 50 % w/w dextran loaded by TC@GO. The interior part of the patch included TC loaded GO embedded on the dextran nanofiber was protected from moisture penetration by a supplemental hydrophobic PCL layer. Besides, the later layer improves the mechanical properties of the composite. Also drug release study of nano fibrous drug carrier showed a controlled-sustained release pattern of TC for up to three days. Finally the nano dressing has shown a good antibacterial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus hence it could be used as dermal patch for treatment of chronic infectious lesions.