Hybrid Self‐Assembled Gel Beads for Tuneable pH‐Controlled Rosuvastatin Delivery

Abstract

This article describes the fabrication of new pHresponsive hybrid gel beads combining the polymer gelator calcium alginate with two different low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) based on 1,3 : 2,4-dibenzylidene-d-sorbitol: pH-responsive DBS-COOH and thermally responsive DBS-CONHNH 2 , thus clearly demonstrating that different classes of LMWG can be fabricated into gel beads by using this approach. We also demonstrate that self-assembled multicomponent gel beads can be formed by using different combinations of these gelators. The different gel bead formulations exhibit different responsiveness -the DBS-COOH network can disassemble within those beads in which it is present upon raising the pH. To exemplify preliminary data for a potential application for these hybrid gel beads, we explored aspects of the delivery of the lipid-lowering active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) rosuvastatin. The release profile of this statin from the hybrid gel beads is pHdependent, with greater release at pH 7.4 than at pH 4.0primary control of this process results from the pK a of the API. The extent of pH-mediated API release is also significantly further modified according to gel bead composition. The DBS-COOH/alginate beads show rapid, highly effective drug release at pH 7.4, whereas the three-component DBS-COOH/ DBS-CONHNH 2 /alginate system shows controlled slow release of the API under the same conditions. These initial results indicate that such gel beads constitute a promising, versatile and easily tuned platform suitable for further development for controlled drug-delivery applications.

DBS‐Based Eutectogels: Organized Vessels to Perform the Michael Addition Reaction**

“…In the case of ChCl/U, we observed the formation of a secondary product that, according to previous reports, [18b] was equal to a monocyanide product deriving from dicyanide through anaerobic oxidation and subsequent base catalyzed elimination reaction. The formation of this product was generally favored by the increase in the basicity of the reaction medium [11b] .…”

Hybrid gels by combining low molecular weight glycolipid gelators with agarose: a promising soft material for efficient dye removal

“…Hybrid gels can be considered multicomponent gels as they consist of two individual gel networks. 5 Hybrid gel systems can be used not only for traditional applications but also in high-tech arenas such as drug delivery, [6][7][8] environmental remediation, 9 stem cell growth, 2 3D printing and tissue engineering, 10 dye encapsulation and release, 11 and cell adhesion. 12 Although supramolecular gels have been targeting many advanced applications, their physical features limit their applicability.…”

Fine‐Tuning Supramolecular Assemblies by Controlling Micellar Aggregates

“…[3][4][5] The objectives vary greatly, from unraveling the self-assemblies of complex biomolecules and proteins [6] to arranging simple building blocks into functional materials. [7,8] The development of low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) [9,10] has enabled the design of semi-solid supramolecular systems with tunable properties, used for diverse applications such as drug delivery, [11,12] tissue engineering, [13,14] self-healing materials, [15,16] stimuliresponsive systems, [17,18] and media for crystal growth. [19] LMWGs are selfassembled via non-bonding interactions such as hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole, and van der Waals interactions into structures such as fibers and tubes that entangle to immobilize the solvent.…”