This paper provides a comprehensive overview of nanofibrous structures for tissue engineering purposes and the role of non-thermal plasma technology (NTP) within this field. Special attention is first given to nanofiber fabrication strategies, including thermally-induced phase separation, molecular self-assembly, and electrospinning, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and potentials. The review then continues to discuss the biodegradable polyesters typically employed for nanofiber fabrication, while the primary focus lies on their applicability and limitations. From thereon, the reader is introduced to the concept of NTP and its application in plasma-assisted surface modification of nanofibrous scaffolds. The final part of the review discusses the available literature on NTP-modified nanofibers looking at the impact of plasma activation and polymerization treatments on nanofiber wettability, surface chemistry, cell adhesion/proliferation and protein grafting. As such, this review provides a complete introduction into NTP-modified nanofibers, while aiming to address the current unexplored potentials left within the field.

Salinomycin is an antibiotic introduced recently as a new and effective anticancer drug. In this study, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were utilized as a drug carrier for salinomycin for potential use in glioblastoma (GBM) chemotherapy. The biocompatible polyethylenimine (PEI)-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-IONPs (PEI-PEG-IONPs) exhibited an efficient uptake in both mouse brain-derived microvessel endothelial (bEnd.3) and human U251 GBM cell lines. The salinomycin (Sali)-loaded PEI-PEG-IONPs (Sali-PEI-PEG-IONPs) released salinomycin over 4 days, with an initial release of 44% ± 3% that increased to 66% ± 5% in acidic pH. The Sali-IONPs inhibited U251 cell proliferation and decreased their viability (by approximately 70% within 48 h), and the nanoparticles were found to be effective in reactive oxygen species-mediated GBM cell death. Gene studies revealed significant activation of caspases in U251 cells upon treatment with Sali-IONPs. Furthermore, the upregulation of tumor suppressors (i.e., p53, Rbl2, Gas5) was observed, while TopII, Ku70, CyclinD1, and Wnt1 were concomitantly downregulated. When examined in an in vitro blood–brain barrier (BBB)-GBM co-culture model, Sali-IONPs had limited penetration (1.0% ± 0.08%) through the bEnd.3 monolayer and resulted in 60% viability of U251 cells. However, hyperosmotic disruption coupled with an applied external magnetic field significantly enhanced the permeability of Sali-IONPs across bEnd.3 monolayers (3.2% ± 0.1%) and reduced the viability of U251 cells to 38%. These findings suggest that Sali-IONPs combined with penetration enhancers, such as hyperosmotic mannitol and external magnetic fields, can potentially provide effective and site-specific magnetic targeting for GBM chemotherapy.