During the resorbable-polymer-boom of the 1970s and 1980s, polycaprolactone (PCL) was used in the biomaterials field and a number of drug-delivery devices. Its popularity was soon superseded by faster resorbable polymers which had fewer perceived disadvantages associated with long term degradation (up to 3-4 years) and intracellular resorption pathways; consequently, PCL was almost forgotten for most of two decades. Recently, a resurgence of interest has propelled PCL back into the biomaterials-arena. The superior rheological and viscoelastic properties over many of its aliphatic polyester counterparts renders PCL easy to manufacture and manipulate into a large range of implants and devices. Coupled with relatively inexpensive production routes and FDA approval, this provides a promising platform for the production of longer-term degradable implants which may be manipulated physically, chemically and biologically to possess tailorable degradation kinetics to suit a specific anatomical site. This review will discuss the application of PCL as a biomaterial over the last two decades focusing on the advantages which have propagated its return into the spotlight with a particular focus on medical devices, drug delivery and tissue engineering.

The return of a forgotten polymer : Polycaprolactone in the 21st century

Reference EPFL-ARTICLE-184271doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2012.08.001View record in Web of Science Record created on 2013-02-27, modified on 2017-05-10

Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

Electrospinning for Tissue Engineering Applications

During the past two decades, tissue engineering and the regenerative medicine field have invested in the regeneration and reconstruction of pathologically altered tissues, such as cartilage, bone, skin, heart valves, nerves and tendons, and many others. The 3D structured scaffolds and hydrogels alone or combined with bioactive molecules or genes and cells are able to guide the development of functional engineered tissues, and provide mechanical support during in vivo implantation. Naturally derived and synthetic polymers, bioresorbable inorganic materials, and respective hybrids, and decellularized tissue have been considered as scaffolding biomaterials, owing to their boosted structural, mechanical, and biological properties. A diversity of biomaterials, current treatment strategies, and emergent technologies used for 3D scaffolds and hydrogel processing, and the tissue-specific considerations for scaffolding for Tissue engineering (TE) purposes are herein highlighted and discussed in depth. The newest procedures focusing on the 3D behavior and multi-cellular interactions of native tissues for further use for in vitro model processing are also outlined. Completed and ongoing preclinical research trials for TE applications using scaffolds and hydrogels, challenges, and future prospects of research in the regenerative medicine field are also presented.

https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/66381/1/19854-materials-12-01824%20%283%29.pdf

Scaffolding strategies for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications

Polymer-based composites by electrospinning: Preparation & functionalization with nanocarbons

Smart electrospun nanofibers containing PCL/gelatin/graphene oxide for application in nerve tissue engineering.

Fabrication, optimization and characterization of electrospun poly(caprolactone)/gelatin/graphene nanofibrous mats.

Biodegradable polymer nano‐ and microparticles are of interest as drug carriers due to their capability to modulate drug release. Two different methods, including solvent displacement and spray drying, are used, resulting in the fabrication of Artemisone (ART)‐loaded polymeric nano‐ and microparticles, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4) are employed to evaluate the morphology and size of the particles. The encapsulation and loading efficiency of the drug as well as cumulative release are characterized using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC results confirm that the spray drying method provides higher encapsulation efficiencies of about 97%, whereas, in nanoparticles prepared by solvent displacement, the highest encapsulation efficiency is 71%. Using these production methods, round‐shaped particles with homogeneous size distribution are fabricated. Moreover, the preparation procedure is optimized to obtain particles with the highest encapsulation and drug loading efficiency. Using the solvent displacement method, stable dispersions in water are obtained without adding any surfactant, whereas, for spray‐dried microparticles, tween 80 is needed to redisperse particles. The micro‐ and nanoparticles show different release properties, which are of interest for drug delivery application of hydrophobic drugs like ART.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/ppsc.202100152

Mina Heidari

Papers

Smart electrospun nanofibers containing PCL/gelatin/graphene oxide for application in nerve tissue engineering.

Fabrication, optimization and characterization of electrospun poly(caprolactone)/gelatin/graphene nanofibrous mats.

Meeting the Needs of a Potent Carrier for Malaria Treatment: Encapsulation of Artemisone in Poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) Micro‐ and Nanoparticles