Fabrication and characterization of tretinoin-loaded nanofiber for topical skin delivery

Tretinoin or all-trans retinoic acid is used in the treatment of acne vulgaris and photo-aging. This
work aims to develop tretinoin-loaded nanofibers as a potential anti-acne patch and to investigate its
physicochemical characteristics.
Method: Nanofibers were produced via electrospinning method and surface topography was evaluated by Field
Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The functional groups of polymer and the drug molecule and the
possible interactions were studied by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Drug release studies were carried
out by total immersion method at 25 °C and 32 °C. Tretinoin stability was evaluated at room temperature and fridge for
45 days. The possibility of synergistic antibacterial activity of tretinoin and erythromycin combination was investigated
on Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC® 25923™) and (ATCC® 29213™) by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.
Results: Uniform fibers without drug crystals were fabricated via electrospinning. Drug-loaded nanofibers show
inherent stability under various storage conditions. Electrospun nanofibers showed a prolonged release of tretinoin.
The stability of formulations in FT was higher than RT. Disc diffusion tests did not show any synergism in the
antibacterial activity of erythromycin when used in combination with tretinoin.
Conclusion: It can be anticipated that the easy fabrication, low costs and dosing frequency of the construct reported
here provide a platform that can be adapted for on-demand delivery of tretinoin.