Multilayered Polysaccharide Nanofilms for Controlled Delivery of Pentoxifylline and Possible Treatment of Chronic Venous Ulceration

Local drug delivery systems made from nontoxic polysaccharide nanofilms have an enormous potential in wound care. A detailed understanding of the structural, surface, physicochemical, and cytotoxic properties of such systems is crucial to design clinically efficacious materials. Herein, we fabricated polysaccharide-based nanofilms onto either a 2D model (SiO2 and Au sensors) or on nonwoven alginate 3D substrates using an alternating assembly of N,N,N-trimethylchitosan (TMC) and alginic acid (ALG) by a spin-assisted layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. These TMC/ALG multilayered nanofilms are used for a uniform encapsulation and controlled release of pentoxifylline (PTX), a potent anti-inflammatory drug for treatment of the chronic venous ulceration. We show a tailorable film growth and mass, morphology, as well as surface properties (charge, hydrophilicity, porosity) of the assembled nanofilms through control of the coating during the spin-assisted assembly. The uniform distribution of the encapsulated PTX in ...