Electrospinner: Electrospun Nanofibers for Skin Delivery

Research background

Functions of the skin: The skin is the largest organ in the human body and has functions such as protection, temperature regulation, hydration, waste excretion and vitamin D synthesis.

Skin structure: It is composed of the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous cortex, each with different composition and functions.

Skin regeneration: Healthy skin regenerates approximately every 28 days, and the dermis contains the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is essential for maintaining skin structure and toughness.

Dermal drug delivery: Drug delivery through the skin can avoid first-pass metabolism and is suitable for certain drugs, such as lidocaine, buprenorphine, etc.

Application of nanomaterials: Nanomaterials show versatility in drug delivery, and electrospinning is a method for preparing nanofibers.

Abstract

Demand for drug delivery system: The location, time and speed of drug release need to be precisely controlled to achieve therapeutic effects.

Advantages of nanofibers: Nanofibers have attracted attention in drug delivery due to their versatility, and electrospinning is an effective preparation method.

Development of skin drug delivery: From simple direct application to more sophisticated and compact drug delivery systems.

Analysis

Technical advantages: Electrospinning technology can produce nanofibers with specific structures and functions, which are suitable for drug delivery and skin administration.

Potential for skin administration: Skin, as a route for drug delivery, has the advantages of avoiding first-pass metabolism and reducing systemic side effects.

Application of nanofibers in skin administration: Nanofibers can penetrate the skin and produce local or systemic effects, which are suitable for the delivery of a variety of drugs.

Future directions: Reduce the cost of electronic skin patches, improve the sensitivity and reliability of sensors, develop high-performance, multimodal sensing patches, and promote the commercialization of flexible electronic skin sensors.

Conclusion

Application of skin electrospun nanofibers: Local and transdermal administration have potential in treating wounds or skin infections while reducing systemic side effects.

Photothermal therapy (PTT): A non-invasive treatment method that uses photothermal substances to produce antibacterial effects on wounds.

Application of hydrogels: Hydrogels play an important role in wound exudate absorption, oxygen permeation, and moisture retention.

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels: such as Pluronic-F127 (PF127) and sodium alginate (SA)-based hydrogels, offer self-healing, antimicrobial, and drug delivery applications.

Electronic skin patches: Advances in flexible substrates, electronics, multi-purpose biomaterial skin patches, and integrated multi-sensor device design have facilitated the fabrication of electronic skin patches.

Challenges and progress: Challenges include substrate durability, signal stability, electrode performance, repeatability, and sweat response time, as well as advances in 3D printing technology in material design and electronic system integration.