Anti-inflammatory effect of active nanofibrous polymeric membrane bearing nanocontainers of atorvastatin complexes

Aim: We developed polymeric membranes for local administration of nonsoluble anti-inflammatory statin, as potential wound patch in rheumatic joint or periodontal lesions. Methods: Electrospun polycaprolactone membranes were fitted with polysaccharide-atorvastatin nanoreservoirs by using complexes with poly-aminocyclodextrin. Characterization methods are UV-Visible and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, molecular dynamics, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In vitro, membranes were seeded with macrophages, and inflammatory cytokine expression were monitored. Results & conclusion: Stable inclusion complexes were formed in solution (1:1 stability constant 368 M- 1, -117.40 kJ mol- 1), with supramolecular globular organization (100 nm, substructure 30 nm). Nanoreservoir technology leads to homogeneous distribution of atorvastatin calcium trihydrate complexes in the membrane. Quantity embedded was estimated (70-90 µg in 30 µm × 6 mm membrane). Anti-inflammatory effect by cell contact-dependent release reached 60% inhibition for TNF-a and 80% for IL-6. The novelty resides in the double protection offered by the cyclodextrins as drug molecular chaperones, with further embedding into biodegradable nanoreservoirs. The strategy is versatile and can target other diseases