Self-assembled pH-responsive supramolecular hydrogel for hydrophobic drug delivery. Issue 55 (10th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Lin; Shi, Xuefeng; Zhang, Jian; Zhu, Yuejun; Wang, Jinben
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 8:Issue 55(2018)
• Page Start: 31581
• Page End: 31587
• Publication Date: 2018-09-10
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ra06064a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Supramolecular hydrogel, AGC16 /NTS, was used to encapsulate hydrophobic drug curcumin (Cur), constructing a pH-responsive drug delivery system; the uptake of released Cur by cancer cells also occurred. Abstract : In this study, a novel supramolecular hydrogel system, abbreviated as AGC16 /NTS, prepared by molecular self-assembly of cationic gemini surfactant 1, 3-bis( N, N -dimethyl- N -cetylammonium)-2-propylacrylatedibromide (AGC16 ) and anionic aromatic compound trisodium 1, 3, 6-naphthalenetrisulfonate (NTS), was used to encapsulate hydrophobic model drug curcumin (Cur), constructing a pH-responsive drug delivery system. Cur was effectively encapsulated into the hydrophobic domains of AGC16 /NTS through hydrophobic interaction, which was confirmed by 1 H NMR measurement. The effects of Cur on the mechanical strength, phase transition behaviour and morphology of AGC16 /NTS were characterized by rheology and cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) methods. The pH-responsive release of Cur from AGC16 /NTS was obtained and the release amount of Cur ascended with pH value decreasing from 7.4 to 3.0. The hydrodynamic sizes of the released Cur-aggregates determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to analyse the release process of Cur at different pH. The cell viability assay and cell imaging experiment demonstrated that Cur-loaded hydrogel has much higher cytotoxicity and better cell uptake compared to free Cur. Overall, the AGC16 /NTS hydrogel is a prospective material for use in encapsulation and controlled-release of hydrophobic drug molecules.