Production and characterization of colon targeted polymeric fiber

Conventional drug delivery systems are often insufficient in various fields due to limiting factors such as narrow therapeutic effect and systemic toxicity. In this context, controlled drug delivery systems have been developed with the aim of localizing the pharmacological activity of the drug to the desired region in the desired amount. In colon-targeted drug delivery applications, it is necessary to protect the drug during gastrointestinal transit until the dosage form reaches the colon. In the scope of the thesis, fiber-based potential carrier systems were produced using the electrospinning method to prevent the release of the active substance during GI transit until it reaches the colon. Eudragit 100 (EL100), sensitive to colon pH, and chitosan and guar gum polymers sensitive to colonic enzymes were used for this purpose. With this method, the production of fiber meshes with different orientations, including random and aligned, with nano and microscale distributions, was investigated using various solvent environments, compositions, and electrospinning parameters. Furthermore, coaxial electrospinning was employed to produce fibers consisting of an EL100 shell and a core made of chitosan or guar gum polymers. The produced fibers underwent morphological, chemical, mechanical, and thermal characterizations, and their swelling and degradation behaviors were studied in pH:1.2, pH:6.8, and pH:7.4 environments.