Hyaluronan-Based Nanofibers: Fabrication, Characterization and Application

Abstract

Nano- and microfibers based on biopolymers are some of the most attractive issues of biotechnology due to their unique properties and effectiveness. Hyaluronan is well-known as a biodegradable, naturally-occurring polymer, which has great potential for being utilized in a fibrous form. The obtaining of fibers from hyaluronan presents a major challenge because of the hydrophilic character of the polymer and the high viscosity level of its solutions. Electrospinning, as the advanced and effective method of the fiber generation, is difficult. The nano- and microfibers from hyaluronan may be obtained by utilizing special techniques, including binary/ternary solvent systems and several polymers described as modifying (or carrying), such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This paper reviews various methods for the synthesis of hyaluronan-based fibers, and also collects brief information on the properties and biological activity of hyaluronan and fibrous materials based on it.

Hyaluronic Acid and Controlled Release: A Review

“…A recent review by Kim et al [106] also reviewed HA coated nanomaterials that have been developed for targeted cancer therapy but they did not discuss any aspects related to controlled or sustained drug release. Similarly, Snetkov et al [107] reviewed recent advances in HA-based nanofiber fabrication protocols as well as their biomedical applications with cancer therapy. They focused on production of nano-and microfibers from HA by utilizing other biocompatible medical polymers such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) including binary/ternary solvent systems rather than their drug release characteristics.…”

Hyaluronic Acid: The Influence of Molecular Weight on Structural, Physical, Physico-Chemical, and Degradable Properties of Biopolymer

“…Consequently, it results in an increase in the solution viscosity and viscoelasticity [ 6 ]. In some cases, for example, in the electrospinning process, molecular weight, concentration, and viscosity are the key parameters providing the nanofibers obtaining [ 25 ].…”

Curcumin/Usnic Acid-Loaded Electrospun Nanofibers Based on Hyaluronic Acid

“…Fiber formation was performed by utilizing the electrospinning system NANON-01A (MECC CO., LTD., Fukuoka, Japan). The principal scheme of the electrospinning process is demonstrated in Figure 2 and was considered in detail earlier [3]. Electrospinning was performed at a temperature of 21.0 ± 1.5 • C and a relative humidity of 30 ± 3%.…”

“…Hyaluronic acid as an unbranched polymer composed of repeating disaccharide units of 1-4-D-glucuronic acid and 1-3-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, being a major component of the intracellular, extracellular, and pericytial matrixes, is one of the attractive native polymers. Due to the unique biocompatible, biodegradable, non-immunogenic, and non-allergic properties it could be applied for the fabrication of a variety of promising and advanced biomedical applications: films [ 1 ], nanoparticles [ 2 ], nanofibers [ 3 ], eye drops [ 4 ], non-adhesive bandage [ 5 ], dermal fillers [ 6 ], etc. Preparation of nanofiber is known as an interesting and challenging scientific subject, as fibrous materials based on hyaluronic acid will have great advantages compared with the polymer films due to the high sponge, specific surface area of fibrous structures, and higher permeability.…”

“…All the above-mentioned factors hinder the electrospinning process [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. For example, wet nanofibers with the unevaporated water could function as conductors among the electrodes, leading to the probability of an “electric breakdown” [ 3 ].…”