Electrospun Nano-CaO2/Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Nanofibers and Their Wound Healing Application through In Situ Supplying H2O2

Skin is highly susceptible to foreign pathogens when damaged. Infections usually lead to serious damage to wounds and hinder wound healing, which results in nonhealing and inflammation of the wounds. Herein, a kind of fibrous membrane incorporated with calcium peroxide nanoparticles (n-CaO₂) is fabricated by electrospinning the polymer blend solution of polycaprolactone and gelatin. The obtained membranes show a randomly distributed nanofibrous structure with n-CaO₂ particles embedded in each fiber. Such a structure endows the membranes with medium hydrophilicity and improves blood clotting in comparison with the commonly used gauze, while the loading of n-CaO₂ achieves the in situ generation and rapid release of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), enabling FM-10 to display a robust bacteria inhibition of over 90% elimination to E. coli. The in vitro cytocompatibility experiment on the fibrous membranes demonstrates low cytotoxicity to L929 fibroblasts. The in vivo assessment indicates that the fibrous membranes can distinctly accelerate the wound healing, of which FM-5 exhibits the highest wound closure rate (>95%) after 14 days. This study provides a versatile approach, simply by varying the loading dosage of n-CaO₂ into fiber matrix, to fulfill different functions to meet the multiple needs of wound care.     

Electrospun PCL Scaffolds as Drug Carrier for Corneal Wound Dressing Using Layer-by-Layer Coating of Hyaluronic Acid and Heparin

Due to its ability to reduce scarring and inflammation, human amniotic membrane is a widely used graft for wound dressings after corneal surgery. To overcome donor dependency and biological variances in the donor tissue, artificial nanofibrous grafts acting as drug carrier systems are promising substitutes. Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds seem to be an appropriate approach as they offer the properties of permeable scaffolds with a high specific surface, the latter one depending on the fiber diameter. Electrospun scaffolds with fiber diameter of 35 nm, 113 nm, 167 nm and 549 nm were manufactured and coated by the layer-by-layer (LbL) technology with either hyaluronic acid or heparin for enhanced regeneration of corneal tissue after surgery. Studies on drug loading capacity and release kinetics defined a lower limit for nanofibrous scaffolds for effective drug loading. Additionally, scaffold characteristics and resulting mechanical properties from the application-oriented characterization of suture pullout from suture retention tests were examined. Finally, scaffolds consisting of nanofibers with a mean fiber diameter of 113 nm were identified as the best-performing scaffolds, concerning drug loading efficiency and resistance against suture pullout.     

Electrospun Azithromycin-Laden Gelatin Methacryloyl Fibers for Endodontic Infection Control

This study was aimed at engineering photocrosslinkable azithromycin (AZ)-laden gelatin methacryloyl fibers via electrospinning to serve as a localized and biodegradable drug delivery system for endodontic infection control. AZ at three distinct amounts was mixed with solubilized gelatin methacryloyl and the photoinitiator to obtain the following fibers: GelMA+5%AZ, GelMA+10%AZ, and GelMA+15%AZ. Fiber morphology, diameter, AZ incorporation, mechanical properties, degradation profile, and antimicrobial action against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Actinomyces naeslundii were also studied. In vitro compatibility with human-derived dental pulp stem cells and inflammatory response in vivo using a subcutaneous rat model were also determined. A bead-free fibrous microstructure with interconnected pores was observed for all groups. GelMA and GelMA+10%AZ had the highest fiber diameter means. The tensile strength of the GelMA-based fibers was reduced upon AZ addition. A similar pattern was observed for the degradation profile in vitro. GelMA+15%AZ fibers led to the highest bacterial inhibition. The presence of AZ, regardless of the concentration, did not pose significant toxicity. In vivo findings indicated higher blood vessel formation, mild inflammation, and mature and thick well-oriented collagen fibers interweaving with the engineered fibers. Altogether, AZ-laden photocrosslinkable GelMA fibers had adequate mechanical and degradation properties, with 15%AZ displaying significant antimicrobial activity without compromising biocompatibility.     

Synergistic Effect of Co-Delivering Ciprofloxacin and Tetracycline Hydrochloride for Promoted Wound Healing by Utilizing Coaxial PCL/Gelatin Nanofiber Membrane

Combining multiple drugs or biologically active substances for wound healing could not only resist the formation of multidrug resistant pathogens, but also achieve better therapeutic effects. Herein, the hydrophobic fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) and the hydrophilic broad-spectrum antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride (TH) were introduced into the coaxial polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/GEL) nanofiber mat with CIP loaded into the PCL (core layer) and TH loaded into the GEL (shell layer), developing antibacterial wound dressing with the co-delivering of the two antibiotics (PCL-CIP/GEL-TH). The nanostructure, physical properties, drug release, antibacterial property, and in vitro cytotoxicity were investigated accordingly. The results revealed that the CIP shows a long-lasting release of five days, reaching the releasing rate of 80.71%, while the cumulative drug release of TH reached 83.51% with a rapid release behavior of 12 h. The in vitro antibacterial activity demonstrated that the coaxial nanofiber mesh possesses strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. In addition, the coaxial mats showed superior biocompatibility toward human skin fibroblast cells (hSFCs). This study indicates that the developed PCL-CIP/GEL-TH nanofiber membranes hold enormous potential as wound dressing materials.     

Fabrication of PLA/PEG/MWCNT electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds for anticancer drug delivery

In the present study, polylactic acid (PLA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds were prepared via electrospinning process and their applications for the anticancer drug delivery system were investigated. A response surface methodology based on Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used to evaluate the effect of key parameters of electrospinning process including solution concentration, feeding rate, tip–collector distance (TCD) and applied voltage on the morphology of PLA/PEG/MWCNT nanofibrous scaffolds. In optimum conditions (concentration of 8.15%, feeding rate of 0.2 mL/h, voltage of 18.50 kV and TCD of 13.0 cm), the minimum experimental fiber diameter was found to be 225 nm which was in good agreement with the predicted value by the BBD analysis (228 nm). In vitro drug release study of doxorubicin (DOX)‐loaded nanofibrous scaffolds, higher drug content induced an extended release of drug. Also, drug release rate was not dependent on drug/polymer ratio in different electrospun nanofibrous formulations. The equation of M_t = c₀ + kt^0.5was used to describe the kinetic data of DOX release from electrospun nanofibers. The cell viability of DOX‐loaded nanofibrous scaffolds was evaluated using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a tetrazole assay on lung cancer A549 cell lines. We propose that DOX‐incorporated PLA/PEG/MWCNT nanofibrous scaffold could be used as a superior candidate for antitumor drug delivery. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41286.     

Poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone)/collagen electrospun mat: Potential for wound dressing and controlled drug delivery

Here we report a novel bioactive electrospun mat based on poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLLC) and collagen for wound dressing and sustained drug delivery of gentamicin. PLLC/collagen electrospun mat loaded with 10% gentamicin showed bioactivity for 15 days against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The in vitro cell culture of 3T3 fibroblasts confirmed that these electrospun mat provide an increased specific interface area and hydrophilicity to enhance cell attachment, proliferation, and migration. The modified PLLC/collagen mat provided an excellent enhancement in properties of antibacterial wound dressings with a minimum in vitro toxicity and high potency for promoting wound healing stages.     

Rapid hemostasis by nanofibers of polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate/polyglycerol sebacic acid: An in vitro / in vivo study

Porous nanofibers were prepared from a combination of polyglycerol sebacate (PGS) and polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) and loaded with tranexamic acid (TA) using the electrospinning method. The nanofibers were optimized for their morphology, diameter size, porosity, TA loading, release profile and mechanical behavior. Their cytotoxicity was studied based on 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay on L929 cells. The hemostasis control on a tail-cut model in rats was investigated. The best formulation contained 35% of the total polymers, 20% PGS and 10% TA in proportion to the total polymer quantity. These nanofibers had 64% porosity, 8.59% water sorption and 1.47% weight loss after 28 days with no cytotoxicity on the L929 cells. TA loaded nanofibers showed significantly less bleeding volume compared to the other groups, but no significant difference in bleeding time was seen with the blank nanofibers. In other words, the blank nanofibers alone had a hemostatic effect. TA loaded nanofibers were effective in bleeding control and hemorrhagic situations by reducing bleeding time and volume.     

Electrospun hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate (HPMCP)/erythromycin fibers for targeted release in intestine

Ultrafine fiber mats of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate (HPMCP) were successfully electrospun and explored as drug delivery vehicles using erythromycin as a model drug. The morphology of the electrospun fiber and the drug release process in the artificial gastric juice and in the artificial intestinal juice were investigated. With the same drug‐to‐matrix ratio (HPMCP/erythromycin = 9/1), all the fibers were electrospun into a tape‐like or ribbon shape and the average fiber diameter (AFD) was increased with the HPMCP concentration. Because of the pH‐sensitive property of HPMCP, erythromycin was released from the erythromycin‐containing electrospun HPMCP fiber mats by a slowly diffusion process in the artificial gastric juice, while it was released in nearly first‐order kinetics in the artificial intestinal juice because of the first‐order kinetics dissolution of the HPMCP fibers in the artificial intestinal juice. And the rate of erythromycin released in the artificial intestinal juice was about more than 2.5 times faster than that in the artificial gastric juice. The diameter of the fibers plays an important role on the rate and the total amount of the drug released both in stomach and in intestine, the rate and the total amount of the drug released decreasing with increasing AFD. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

PVA/PMMA polymer blended composite electrospun nanofibers mat and their potential use as an anti-biofilm product

Bacterial infections have increased dramatically due to microbial biofilm formation resulting in chronic pathological conditions in human subjects. Microbial biofilm causes poor drug penetration and antibiotic resistance, which has made site-specific sustained drug delivery the most appropriate option. Our work entails fabrication of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CPX) loaded nanofibers using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and poly(meth) methacrylate (PMMA) employing electrospinning method to form PVA:PMMA:CPX nanofibers mat. These nanofibers mat were optimized, characterized, and further subjected to anti-biofilm activity. Microscopic images revealed average nanofibers diameter of 243 ± 80 nm with smooth surface morphology. Analytical graphs and thermal analysis confirmed drug encapsulation and drug-polymer compatibility. In vitro studies demonstrated sustained release of CPX for 22 days displaying Hixon Crowell and two-stage desorption kinetics. Anti-biofilm activity showed zones of inhibition 3.0 ± 0.5 cm, 2.8 ± 0.1 cm, 2.9 ± 0.2 cm for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, respectively which was well above the minimum inhibitory concentration levels of the bacteria forming biofilm. Conclusively, these nanofibers mat have potential to be used as an anti-biofilm product.     

Electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) composite nanofibers with halloysite nanotubes for the sustained release of sodium d‐pantothenate

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers containing halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) loaded with sodium d ‐pantothenate (SDP) were successfully fabricated via simple blend‐electrospinning. SDP was efficiently loaded into the innate HNT lumen with an SDP/HNT mass ratio of 1.5:1 via vacuum treatment. The SDP‐loaded HNT‐inclusion complex was evaluated with drug‐loading efficiency testing, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The morphologies of the nanofibers were observed by scanning electron microscopy, which revealed uniform and smooth surfaces of the nanofibers. The addition of HNTs to the composite nanofibers increased the viscosity of the polymer solution, and this suggested shorter fiber diameters. FTIR spectroscopy verified the good compatibility of the SDP and HNTs with PVA. Moreover, the swelling properties were found to quantitatively correlate with weight loss. In vitro drug‐release testing revealed that the HNTs and crosslinking reaction most dramatically affected the sustained release of SDP from the PVA and SDP‐loaded HNT complex. In the drug‐release kinetics model, SDP release depended on the diffusion caused by the deformation of the polymer‐based structures in the medium; it followed Fickian diffusion with acceptable coefficient of determination (r²) values between 0.88 and 0.94. Most importantly, the HNTs as natural biocontainers effectively modulated the release profile by loading the active compound in harmony with the electrospun nanofibers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42900.     

Synthesis,antimicrobial, and release behaviors of tetracycline hydrochloride loaded poly (VInyl alcohol)/chitosan/ZrO2 nanofibers

Tetracycline hydrochloride loaded poly (vinyl alcohol)/chitosan/ZrO₂ (Tet‐PVA/CS/ZrO₂) hybrid nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning technique. The representative weight ratio of PVA/CS at 3 : 1 was chosen to fabricate drug carrier PVA/CS/ZrO₂ nanofibers. The drug carrier showed a decrease in average diameter with the increase of ZrO₂ content at given conditions, and the nanofibers were uneven and interspersed with spindle‐shape beads with ZrO₂ content at 60 wt % and above. The networks linked by hydrogen and Zr–O–C bonds among PVA, CS, and ZrO₂ units resulted in the improving of thermal stability and decreasing of crystallinity of the polymeric matrix. Moreover, the incorporation of ZrO₂ endowed the fibers with ultraviolet shielding effect ranged from 200 to 400 nm. The Tet loading dosage had no obvious effect on the morphology and size of the medicated nanofibers at Tet content below 8 wt %, but interspersed with spindle‐shaped beads when Tet content increased to 10 wt %. The Tet‐PVA/CS/ZrO₂) nanofibers showed well controlled release and better antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, and the Tet release from the medicated nanofibers could be described by Fickian diffusion model for M_t /M_∞< 0.6. These medicated nanofibers may have potential as a suitable material in drug delivery and wound dressing. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42506.     

PCL microsphere/PEG-based composite hydrogels for sustained release of methadone hydrochloride

Hydrogels have increasingly received considerable attention for local opioids delivery in order to sustained wound pain relief. However, burst release of drugs is a critical problem of hydrogels. To this aim, a local drug delivery system consisting of polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres containing methadone hydrochloride/polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogels were developed to prolong drug release with potential utilization in pain treatment. Four different drug delivery systems, including methadone hydrochloride/PEG-(N₃)₄-based hydrogel, methadone hydrochloride/PEG-(N₃)₂-based hydrogel, methadone hydrochloride/PCL/PEG-(N₃)₄, and methadone hydrochloride/PCL/PEG-(N₃)₂ composite hydrogels, were fabricated to investigate drug release profiles of these systems. The results showed that drug released can be controlled by both the double-barrier matrix (hydrogel/microsphere), and the crosslinking density of hydrogels. Therefore, methadone hydrochloride/PCL/PEG-(N₃)₂ composite hydrogel with high crosslinking density has great potential application in sustained release systems for wound pain relief. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48967.     

Fabrication and DOE Optimization of Electrospun Chitosan/Gelatin/PVA Nanofibers for Skin Tissue Engineering

Chitosan/gelatin-based nanofibers display excellent biological performance in tissue engineering because of their biocompatible composition and nanofibrous structure with a high surface-to-volume ratio mimicking the native extracellular matrix. In this study, to save time and cost of experiments, a response surface methodology based on Box–Behnken design (BBD) is developed to predict the mean diameter of (chitosan:gelatin)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers in three volume ratios of chitosan:gelatin by considering PVA percentage, applied voltage, and flow rate as input variables. The morphology and chemical composition of nanofibers are investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. The optimum conditions to yield the minimum diameter of nanofibers with chitosan:gelatin ratios of 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 are found and result in 165, 121, and 92 nm, respectively, which show good accordance with BBD estimated results. The tensile testing indicates that nanofibers containing higher ratio of chitosan:gelatin result in higher tensile stress and lower toughness and tensile strain. The water contact angle analysis (WCA) shows the appropriate hydrophilicity of crosslinked nanofibers. The MTT assay shows excellent cell viability and cell attachment of nanofibers for mouse fibroblast (L929) cells. The results indicate that optimum nanofibers are potent candidates for wound healing applications.     

Prospects and Challenges of Electrospun Cell and Drug Delivery Vehicles to Correct Urethral Stricture

Current therapeutic modalities to treat urethral strictures are associated with several challenges and shortcomings. Therefore, significant strides have been made to develop strategies with minimal side effects and the highest therapeutic potential. In this framework, electrospun scaffolds incorporated with various cells or bioactive agents have provided promising vistas to repair urethral defects. Due to the biomimetic nature of these constructs, they can efficiently mimic the native cells’ niches and provide essential microenvironmental cues for the safe transplantation of multiple cell types. Furthermore, these scaffolds are versatile platforms for delivering various drug molecules, growth factors, and nucleic acids. This review discusses the recent progress, applications, and challenges of electrospun scaffolds to deliver cells or bioactive agents during the urethral defect repair process. First, the current status of electrospinning in urethral tissue engineering is presented. Then, the principles of electrospinning in drug and cell delivery applications are reviewed. Finally, the recent preclinical studies are summarized and the current challenges are discussed.     

Electrospun cellulose acetate fiber mats containing asiaticoside or Centella asiatica crude extract and the release characteristics of asiaticoside

Ultra-fine cellulose acetate (CA; M_w ≈ 30,000 Da; degree of acetyl substitution ≈ 2.4) fiber mats containing asiaticoside (AC) from the plant Centella asiatica L. either in the form of pure substance (PAC) or a crude extract (CACE) were fabricated by electrospinning. Incorporation of either PAC or CACE (40 wt.% based on the weight of CA) in the neat CA solution (17% w/v in 2:1 v/v acetone/dimethylacetamide) did not affect the morphology of the obtained fibers, as both the neat and the herb-loaded CA fibers were smooth. The average diameters of these fibers ranged between 301 and 545 nm. Determination of the release characteristics of AC from the herb-loaded CA fiber mats was carried out by the total immersion and the transdermal diffusion through a pigskin method in acetate or phosphate buffer solution that contained methanol (hereafter, A/B/M or P/B/M medium) at either 32 or 37 °C, respectively. In the total immersion method, the maximum amounts of the AC released from the PAC- and the CACE-loaded CA fiber mats into the A/B/M medium were ∼24 and ∼10% (based on the weight of the specimens), while those of the AC released into the P/B/M medium were ∼26 and ∼12%, respectively. Considerably lower values were, however, obtained when the materials were placed on top of a piece of pigskin. Lastly, the herb-loaded CA fiber mats released no substance that was harmful to normal human dermal fibroblasts, rending their potential for use as topical/transdermal or wound dressing patches.     

Electrospun curcumin/polycaprolactone/copolymer F-108 fibers as a new therapy for wound healing

The application of fibers associated with drugs is a promising alternative to meet the clinical needs of tissue repair. Curcumin exhibits great cicatricial potential because it has numerous pharmacological properties. This research aimed to produce fibers of polycaprolactone and copolymer F-108 associated with curcumin and to evaluate in vivo their action on the process of wound healing. The fibers were produced by electrospinning technique and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and fluorescence microscopy. They were applied in cutaneous wounds of rats for the analysis of photoacoustic permeation and histological study. The characterization showed that the electrospinning allowed the preparation of homogeneous material with curcumin. The fibers benefited healing of the wounds and allowed the permeation of curcumin at all stages. The use of PCL/F-108 fibers allowed the elaboration of a new curcumin delivery system, improving its bioavailability and action in the healing of excisional wound. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48415.     

Synthesis,antimicrobial activity,and release of tetracycline hydrochloride loaded poly(vinyl alcohol)/soybean protein isolate/zirconium dioxide nanofibrous membranes

Tetracycline hydrochloride loaded poly(vinyl alcohol)/soybean protein isolate/zirconium (Tet–PVA/SPI/ZrO₂) nanofibrous membranes were fabricated via an electrospinning technique. The average diameter of the PVA/soybean protein isolate (SPI)/ZrO₂ nanofibers used as drug carriers increased with increasing ZrO₂ content, and the nanofibers were uneven and tended to stick together when the ZrO₂ content was above 15 wt %. The Tet–PVA/SPI/ZrO₂ nanofibers were similar in morphology when the loading dosage of the model drug tetracycline hydrochloride was below 6 wt %. The PVA, SPI, and ZrO₂ units were linked by hydrogen bonds in the hybrid networks, and the addition of ZrO₂ improved the thermostability of the polymer matrix. The Tet–PVA/SPI/ZrO₂ nanofibrous membranes exhibited good controlled drug‐release properties and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The results of this study suggest that those nanofibrous membranes were suitable for drug delivery and wound dressing. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40903.     

Influence of structure on release profile of acyclovir loaded polyurethane nanofibers: Monolithic and core/shell structures

In this study, monolithic and core/shell polyurethane (PU) nanofibers were fabricated by single and coaxial electrospinning techniques, respectively. An antivirus drug, Acyclovir (ACY), was loaded on PU nanofibers. The physical condition and interaction of the loaded ACY within these nanofibers were studied by FTIR, XRD, DSC, SEM, and TEM. In vitro tests exhibited an obvious difference in the release pattern between monolithic and core/shell nanofibers and burst release in monolithic nanofibers could be controlled by core/shell structure. Release profile was found to follow Korsmeyere‐Peppas model with Fickian diffusion mechanism. Our study demonstrated that the ACY‐loaded core/shell nanofibers might serve as a device for drug delivery systems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44073.     

Design and characterization of pH stimuli-responsive nanofiber drug delivery system: The promising targeted carriers for tumor therapy

New carrier platforms have been designed for an electrospun pyridinium calixarene nanofiber for controlled drug delivery. First, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis(3-aminomethyl-pyridineamido)-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (3-AMP) scaffold was produced by electrospinning. AMP scaffold was modified by human serum albumin (HSA), folic acid (FA), and glutathione (GSH). Doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded to surfaces of the AMP, AMP-HSA, AMP-HSA-FA, and AMP-HSA-GSH nanofibers by using DOX solution in different buffers with, 2.2, 4.0, 6.0, and 7.4 pH. The release studies DOX from four different nanofibers was also done in a various amount microenviroments by changing pH values. The loading and release amount of DOX was estimated from the calibration curve drawn at 480 and 560 nm of excitation and emission wavelengths by using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. The loading studies were confirmed by Fourier transforms infrared, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis.     

Drug release behavior of polyurethane/clay nanocomposite: Film vs. nanofibrous web

In the present study, polyurethane/clay nanocomposite films have been prepared by solvent casting method. Antiseptic drug chlorhexidine acetate was intercalated into montmorillonite clay and then incorporated into the polyurethane film. For comparison, the drug was also added directly into the polymeric dope used for film casting. In addition to that, nanofibrous web containing neat drug and drug loaded clay were fabricated using electrospinning technique. The emphasis of the study was on investigating the effect of drug intercalated into nanoclay vis‐à‐vis direct drug loading in the polymer on the drug release behaviour of polyurethane nanocomposite films as well as nanofibrous webs. The effect of morphology (film vs. nanofibrous web) on the drug release kinetics has also been discussed. It is observed that the nanoclay is acting as a sustained release carrier of drug, and nanofibrous web exhibits higher drug release rate as compared to the film. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40824.