Summary
A growing share of new drug candidates suffer from poor water solubility, which limits their absorption and therapeutic use, and the challenge is even greater for dosage forms aimed at geriatric or paediatric patients. This study investigates electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibres as a nanotechnology-based delivery system for the oromucosal administration of such drugs, benchmarked against conventional drug-loaded polymer films. Two model actives with comparable hydro-lipophilic character but different molecular weights — ibuprofen and carvedilol — were incorporated into the fibres to link drug properties to release behaviour. The PCL mats released nearly all of the loaded ibuprofen within four hours but only about 77% of the carvedilol over the same period, showing how molecular weight and solubility govern release from the matrix. Overall, electrospinning proved a promising way to enhance the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs and to build oromucosal delivery systems.