Chitosan/PVA nanofibers for implantable drug delivery systems

In this study, we prepared methotrexate (MTX) loaded chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers using electrospinning method. The prepared nanofiber mats were soaked into the glutaraldehyde solution for crosslinking. The ratio of chitosan/PVA was 1:9 and 1:7, and the crosslinking time was 24 hrs and 36 hrs. In vitro release study was performed on four formulations of nanofibers. Determination of contact angle, SEM, and MTT assay on U-87 MG cell line and MCF-7 cell line were carried out by those formulations of nanofibers. SEM images showed that the average fiber diameter was 221 nm with a range of 94–410 nm and also water contact angle was 24.3o. In vitro release profile of nanofibers with the ratio of chitosan/PVA of 1:9 and crosslinking time of 36 hrs was more acceptable compared to other ones. After 24 hrs, Chitosan/PVA nanofibers mat containing MTX had 18% and 20% cytotoxicity on U87MG and MCF7 cell lines, respectively. In conclusion, MTX loaded chitosan/PVA nanofibers would be an appropriate therapeutics implant for cancer therapy; however, more studies are also needed.