Reinforcement of nanofibrillar hydrogels via cyclodextrin and self-assembling peptide interactions for controlled drug delivery

Abstract

Self-assembled peptide hydrogels possess remarkable biological activity and biocompatibility. When utilized for local drug delivery, they require enhanced mechanical properties and the ability to facilitate controlled release of drugs. Herein, we present the design and synthesis of a supramolecular hydrogel (Fmoc-GFFG/SBE-β-CD). The hydrogel incorporates host–guest interactions between a self-assembling peptide (Fmoc-GFFG) and cyclodextrin molecules (SBE-β-CD) to improve the viscoelastic strength of the hydrogel while maintaining biocompatibility. With remarkable shear-thinning properties, the Fmoc-GFFG/SBE-β-CD hydrogel exhibits enhanced in vivo retention time, thereby facilitating the development of an injectable drug delivery system. Using 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) as a model drug, we develop a hydrogel system (Fmoc-GFFG/SBE-β-CD@HCPT) that capitalizes on the inclusion complex formation between SBE-β-CD and HCPT. The resulting composite hydrogels effectively prevent the agglomeration of drug molecules, ensuring the sustained release of HCPT while preserving its anticancer efficacy. The findings presented in this work establish a foundation for the broadening of peptide-based biomaterials and offer a promising avenue for the development of sophisticated drug delivery systems.