Naproxen (NAP) loaded nanofibers of different structures have been successfully prepared by electrospinning. The structures of the nanofibers are NAP and cellulose acetate (CA) mixed nanofibers (NF-1), nanofibers with NAP/CA mixed core and CA sheath (NF-2), and NAP loaded liposomes and sodium hyaluronate (HA-Na) mixed core with CA sheath (NF-3). The structure and morphology of the nanofibers were characterized and the drug release behaviors were investigated. It was found that NAP can disperse in the HA-Na or CA matrix in molecular level without formation of NAP crystals and dimers. The drug release behaviors of NF-1 and NF-2 show a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism, while the NF-3 shows a specific drug release behavior with a burst release within 8 hrs followed by a sustained drug release for 12 days. The particular two-stage drug release behavior of NF-3 nanofibers offers the materials promising applications as wound dressing materials. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2014 Typical TEM images of NAP loaded liposomes (a) and the enlarged image (b) Typical (a) SEM image and (b) corresponding diameter distribution and (c) EDS results of NF-3 nanofibers. Spectra 1 and 2 correspond to the points 1 and 2 indicated in (a), respectively Typical TEM images of NF-3 nanofibers with liposomes located at the (a) middle and (b) aside of the core matrix indicated in the circles In vitro NAP release of nanofibers. (a) NAP release profiles in the first 24 h. (b) NAP release profile of NF-3 nanofibers in full range |