Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions from Nucleobase-Decorated Supramolecular Polymer: Synthesis, Self-Assembly and Biomedical Applications

Abstract

The fabrication of supramolecular materials for biomedical applications such as drug delivery, bioimaging, wounddressing, adhesion materials, photodynamic/photothermal therapy, infection control (as antibacterial), etc. has grown tremendously, due to their unique properties, especially the formation of hydrogen bonding. Nevertheless, void space in the integration process, lack of feasibility in the construction of supramolecular materials of natural origin in living biological systems, potential toxicity, the need for complex synthesis protocols, and costly production process limits the actual application of nanomaterials for advanced biomedical applications. On the other hand, hydrogen bonding from nucleobases is one of the strategies that shed light on the blurred deployment of nanomaterials in medical applications, given the increasing reports of supramolecular polymers that promote advanced technologies. Herein, we review the extensive body of literature about supramolecular functional biomaterials based on nucleobase hydrogen bonding pertinent to different biomedical applications. It focuses on the fundamental understanding about the synthesis, nucleobase-decorated supramolecular architecture, and novel properties with special emphasis on the recent developments in the assembly of nanostructures via hydrogen-bonding interactions of nucleobase. Moreover, the challenges, plausible solutions, and prospects of the so-called hydrogen bonding interaction from nucleobase for the fabrication of functional biomaterials are outlined.

Zinc Oxide/Carbon Material-Embedded Supramolecular Drug Delivery System with Photoswitching Properties for Highly Selective and Effective Chemotherapy

“…Supramolecular drug delivery systems (SDDSs) offer an effective method to enhance the effectiveness of medications by facilitating processes such as self-assembled into nanostructures and accurate pH-responsive drug release triggered by the acidic state of the tumor’s immediate environment. − Numerous studies reported that SDDSs exhibit rapid responsiveness to diverse stimuli within the TME, thus mitigating harm to normal cells and enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy medicines against cancer. , For instance, Luan and co-workers developed a thermal-responsive injectable hydrogel formulated with an l -norvaline-based immunomodulating agent, utilizing a diblock copolymer to encapsulate doxorubicin for suppressing abscopal tumors. , Recent research progress in our laboratory successfully developed and applied multiple hydrogen bond-based supramolecular polymers, − particularly with emphasis on fabricating SDDSs containing ureido-cytosine (UrCy) quadruple hydrogen-bonded component . For instance, integrating UrCy moieties into the termini of polyethylene glycol results in the creation of a water-soluble UrCy-functionalized polymer (UrCyPEG).…”