Supramolecular Hybrid Hydrogel Based on Host–Guest Interaction and Its Application in Drug Delivery

Abstract

In this work, we developed a simple, novel method for constructing gold nanocomposite supramolecular hybrid hydrogels for drug delivery, in which gold nanocrystals were utilized as building blocks. First, methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) thiol (mPEG-SH, molecular weight (MW)=5 K) capped gold nanocrystals (nanospheres and nanorods) were prepared via a facile one-step ligand-exchange procedure. Then, the homogeneous supramolecular hybrid hydrogels were formed, after adding α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) into PEG-modified gold nanocrystal solutions, due to the host-guest inclusion. Both gold nanoparticles and inclusion complexes formed between α-CD and PEG chain provided the supra-cross-links, which are beneficial to the gelation formation. The resulting hybrid hydrogels were fully characterized by a combination of techniques including X-ray diffraction, rheology studies, and scanning electron microscopy. Meanwhile, the hybrid hydrogel systems demonstrated unique reversible gel-sol transition properties at a certain temperature caused by the temperature-responsive reversible supramolecular assembly. The drug delivery applications of such hybrid hydrogels were further investigated in which doxorubicin was selected as a model drug for in vitro release, cytotoxicity, and intracellular release studies. We believe that the development of such hybrid hydrogels will provide new and therapeutically useful means for medical applications.

Supra‐dendron Gelator Based on Azobenzene–Cyclodextrin Host–Guest Interactions: Photoswitched Optical and Chiroptical Reversibility

“…The resultsd emonstrated that the azobenzene moiety of AZOC 8 GAc was embedded in the cavity of a-CD, but that its alkyl chain moiety interacted only weakly with a-CD. For the AZOC 8 GAc assembly,f our diffraction peaks were seen, with a d spacing ratio of roughly 1:1/ 2:1/3:1/4, corresponding to a d spacing of 3.8 nm in al amellar structure. [46] Moreover,t he amide Ib and at 1655 cm À1 and the amide II band at 1545 cm À1 significantly decreased as ar esult of weakened hydrogen bonding.…”

“…Potentiometric pH titration: AZOC 8 GAc was first dissolved in water at ac oncentration of 1.0 mm,a nd then the solution was adjusted to pH 11 with 0.1 m aqueous NaOH solution. 0.1 m HCl was then gradually added to this solution in small portions.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Numerous soft, smartm aterials have been fabricated based on such responsive gels, which find many applications in various fields, such as biological substance release, [6][7][8] mechanical shape memory, [9,10] environmental remediation, [11][12][13][14] and so forth. [1][2][3][4][5] Numerous soft, smartm aterials have been fabricated based on such responsive gels, which find many applications in various fields, such as biological substance release, [6][7][8] mechanical shape memory, [9,10] environmental remediation, [11][12][13][14] and so forth.…”

Temperature and pH Dual-Responsive Supramolecular Polymer Hydrogels Hybridized with Functional Inorganic Nanoparticles

“…Similarly, silver nanoparticles were hybridized into supramolecular hydrogels and showed catalytic activity for the reduction of methylene blue . Gold nanoparticles hybrid hydrogels were prepared by adding α‐CD into the aqueous solution of “star” PEG with Au nanocrystals as the core . By encapsulating platinum nanoparticles into the PEG‐modified dendrimer, the corresponding supramolecular hydrogels become photoresponsive .…”

Supramolecular hydrogels of α-cyclodextrin/reverse poloxamines/carbon-based nanomaterials and its multi-functional application

“…1,2 Among them, supramolecular gels have received considerable attention due to their unique structures. 7 Over the past three decades, a variety of host molecules have been synthesized, including crown ethers, catenanes, cyclodextrins, and cucurbit[n]urils. Thus, they have attracted more attention from people and generate more potential applications, such as dye absorption, drug-release systems and chemical sensors.…”