Drug-loaded electrospun nanofibrous sheets as barriers against postsurgical adhesions in mice model

Objective(s): Postsurgical adhesion is one of the common complications after surgery. Some antiadhesion barriers are commercially available which are not customary used by physicians as much as expected because of ineffectiveness. Recently, nanofibers have been introduced as antiadhesion barriers with the potential of drug delivery. In the light of role of inflammation and oxidative stress in adhesion formation, it is supposed that curcumin as an antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent is able to prevent postsurgical adhesions. Methods: In the present study, curcuminloaded nanofibrous (CurPCL) sheets were prepared using electrospinning and evaluated for its antiadhesion profile in a mice model. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), drug release and degradation investigations and also, in vivo studies were performed. Results: curcuminloaded CurPCL nanofibers were successfully prepared and shown significant prevention of postsurgical adhesion formation in mice model. Release study indicated that after 30 days, about 30% of the drug is released from the electrospun nanofibers. In vivo experiments showed that postsurgical adhesion has been reduced about 50% compared to the control group. Conclusions: CurPCL curcuminloaded nanofibers have the potential to decrease postsurgical adhesion formation as a barrier. This system supports the sustained release of curcumin from the nanofibers.