Two polysaccharides (cellulose and chitosan) and polyurethane dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride represented the matrix for the obtainment of new composite formulations comprised of lignin, ferrite–lignin hybrid and ketoconazole. The mechanical performances (Young’s modulus and compressive strength) increased with the filler addition. The nature of the filler used in the studied formulations influenced both bioadhesion and mucoadhesion parameters. It was found that the incorporation of lignin and ferrite–lignin hybrid into the matrix has influenced the in vitro rate of ketoconazole release, which is described by the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. All materials exhibited activity against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) and Gram negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922) bacteria.
Transmembrane protein channels are of significant importance for the design of biomimetic artificial ion channels. Regarding the transport principles, they may be constructed from amphiphilic compounds undergoing self-assembly that synergistically generate directional superstructures across bilayer membranes. Particularly interesting, these alignments may impose an artificial pore structure that may control the ionic conduction and translocate water and ions sharing one pathway across the cell membrane. Herein, we report that the imidazole and 3-amino-triazole amphiphiles self-assemble via multiple H-bonding to form stable artificial networks within lipid bilayers. The alignment of supramolecular assemblies influences the conduction of ions, envisioned to diffuse along the hydrophilic pathways. Compounds 1-8 present subtle variations on the ion transport activities, depending the structure of hydrophilic head and hydrophobic components. Fluorinated compounds 3, 4 and 7, 8 outperform the corresponding non-fluorinated counterparts 1, 2 and 5, 6. Under the same conditions, the R enantiomers present a higher activity vs. the S enantiomers. The present systems associating supramolecular self-assembly with ion-transport behaviors may represent very promising unexplored alternatives for ion-transport along with their transient superstructures within bilayer membranes, paralleling to that of biology.
One of the most common biochemical processes is the proton transfer through the cell membranes, having significant physiological functions in living organisms. The proton translocation mechanism has been extensively studied; however, mechanistic details of this transport are still needed. During the last decades, the field of artificial proton channels has been in continuous growth, and understanding the phenomena of how confined water and channel components mediate proton dynamics is very important. Thus, proton transfer continues to be an active area of experimental and theoretical investigations, and acquiring insights into the proton transfer mechanism is important as this enlightenment will provide direct applications in several fields. In this review, we present an overview of the development of various artificial proton channels, focusing mostly on their design, self-assembly behavior, proton transport activity performed on bilayer membranes, and comparison with protein proton channels. In the end, we discuss their potential applications as well as future development and perspectives.
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