A Review on a Novel Approach in Pharmaceutics: Nanofibers-Advances, Applications, and Future Prospects
Abstract:
Nanofibers have emerged as a transformative platform in pharmaceutical sciences, offering unique advantages for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing. Their nanoscale structure, characterized by high surface-area-to-volume ratios and tunable porosity, enables efficient encapsulation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, proteins, and bioactive molecules. Electrospinning remains the predominant fabrication technique, allowing for precise control over fiber morphology and drug release kinetics. Additionally, alterna tive methods such as solution blowing, melt spinning, and self-assembly have expanded the scope of nanofiber applications, particularly in industrial and clinical contexts. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the physicochemical properties, fabrication strategies, and biomedical applications of nanofibers, with a focus on their role in controlled and stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems. It also addresses the current limitations—such as scalability, reproducibility, and regulatory barriers—and highlights recent advancements, including smart nanofibers and hybrid constructs. Future di rections emphasize the integration of nanofibers into multifunctional and patient-specific systems, underscor ing their potential to reshape modern pharmaceutical and regenerative therapies.
