Engineering Micro/Nanostructured Biodegradable Nanoclay-Based Nanocomposite Coatings for Sustained Drug Release and Rapid Endothelialization in Drug-Eluting Stents Publisher



Rahvar M ; Manoochehrabadi T ; Marouf BT ; Lakalayeh GA ; Kakolvand R ; Habibi H ; Ghanbari H
Source: BioNanoScience Published:2026

Abstract

A dual-strategy approach was employed to develop an efficient drug-eluting stent (DES) coating by combining (1) nanoclay-based PLA nanocomposites to modulate pharmaceutical and biological properties and (2) electrospray processing to control the micro/nanostructure. The nanocomposites were formulated with polylactic acid (PLA), 3 wt% polyethylene glycol (PEG), CLOISITE 20 A nanoclay (1 or 3 wt%), and dexamethasone (DEX). Structural analysis revealed uniform microbead/nanofiber morphology and well-dispersed exfoliated/intercalated nanoclay within the PLA matrix. Incorporation of 3 wt% nanoclay and PEG accelerated PLA degradation, while nanoclay reduced the initial DEX burst release and enhanced cumulative release over 42 days. Cellular studies showed DEX-free coatings were non-cytotoxic to smooth muscle cells, while DEX-loaded coatings selectively inhibited their proliferation, and a confluent endothelial layer formed within 3 days. These findings demonstrate that PLA/PEG/nanoclay nanocomposites, combined with electrospray processing, allow precise control over degradation, drug release, and surface micro/nanostructure. PEG enhances water absorption and degradation, nanoclay provides a cost-effective barrier effect, and PLA offers a biodegradable framework. Together, these modifications yield DES coatings that support rapid endothelialization and meet essential physicochemical and biological performance criteria, addressing the challenge of achieving controlled, sustained drug release in biodegradable stents. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.