A carrier-free therapeutic eutectogel: construction, physical properties, and anti-bacterial ability

Abstract

Eutectogels have emerged as promising materials with broad application potential. Herein, therapeutic deep eutectic solvents (THEDESs) based on the active pharmaceutical ingredients oxymatrine and lauric acid were developed. The physical properties, i.e., density, refractive index, surface tension, and viscosity, of the THEDESs were measured. Among these investigated THEDESs, THEDES (3 : 7) has been shown to self-aggregate into a gel in water. The rheological behavior, microscopic structure of the eutectogel, and the gelation mechanism were further explored. Furthermore, THEDES (3 : 7) can enhance the solubility and stability of curcumin effectively. The eutectogel (with and without curcumin) possessed good antioxidant and anti-P. acnes activity. To summarize, a simple method based on the self-assembly of THEDES in water was proposed to construct a therapeutic eutectogel, which could potentially be extended as a generalized strategy.