Issue 55, 2018

Self-assembled pH-responsive supramolecular hydrogel for hydrophobic drug delivery

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 1H 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.

Graphical abstract: Self-assembled pH-responsive supramolecular hydrogel for hydrophobic drug delivery

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
17 jul 2018
Accepted
18 ago 2018
First published
10 set 2018
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

RSC Adv., 2018,8, 31581-31587

Self-assembled pH-responsive supramolecular hydrogel for hydrophobic drug delivery

L. Wang, X. Shi, J. Zhang, Y. Zhu and J. Wang, RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 31581 DOI: 10.1039/C8RA06064A

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