Silk fibroin and keratin electrospun nanofibers loaded with acetylsalicylic acid as potential transdermal patches decorated with metallic microneedles
Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, cilt.116, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 116
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jddst.2025.107908
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Silk fibroin, Human hair keratin, Electrospinning, Transdermal patch, Microneedle
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Herein, a transdermal patch composed of silk fibroin (SF) and keratin (K) fibers was developed with electrospinning and then loaded with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) drug and integrated with metallic microneedles for enabling a minimally invasive, pain free application providing high drug release, prone to rapid mixing into the systemic circulation via the dermal route, alternative to hypodermic needles. Fiber diameters around 1 μm were obtained, decreasing significantly to nanofiber size with the presence of keratin. The ethanol (EtOH) treatment rendered the pore sizes more uniform and caused structural changes in the amide bands (transformations from random coil/α-helix to β-sheet structure). The aqueous stability of groups varied between 8 and 9 % (weight loss) and the water uptake (10–16 times their dry weight) and hydrophilicity abilities of groups were high. The amount of keratin had a remarkable influence on mechanical characteristics, tending to increase the brittleness of the structure, while the group without keratin could elongate more. The hand-made design of microneedles (500–1000 μm) allowed high penetration depths and thus the drug permeation and drug release rate enhanced dramatically in microneedle patches that can compete with the free drug. Finally, L929 fibroblast cell viability tests by MTT assay, and seeding studies confirmed that all test groups have cell viability greater than 94 % and desirable cell adhesion, spreading, and proliferation behavior. The developed transdermal skin patches integrated with microneedles might be promising candidates in future clinical applications with their improved physicochemical properties suitable for ASA loading and release, and biocompatibility.