Javad Yekrang

Nanofibrous patches have attracted much attention as a solution to resolve drug delivery challenges. In this study, vitamin B12- loaded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (Cs) nanofiber patch (NFP) was electrospun and cross-linked by glutaraldehyde (GA). The physicochemical properties of the nanofiber patches were assessed by morphological studies, FTIR analysis, hydrophilicity test, mechanical tests, and in-vitro evaluations including biodegradability, MTT assay, and cumulative release test of vitamin. In-vivo studies were also carried out by measuring vitamin B12 levels in the bloodstream and conducting histopathology studies on the animal models. The results showed that the mean diameter of Cs/PVA/B12 and cross-linked patch were approximately 207 and 256 nm, respectively. Cross-linking of NFP led to the lower, slower, and more continuous release of the vitamin with a slight decrease in biodegradability, and an increase in the mechanical properties of the nanofiber patches. Furthermore, the cytocompatibility assay, MTT, and in vivo results revealed no cytotoxicity of Cs/PVA/B12 NFP towards L929 cell line. No lesion or tissue damage was observed in the skin tissue of the animal models wearing these skin patches. Therefore, B12-loaded NFP can be introduced as a potential candidate for commercial transdermal routes.