Multidrug‐Containing, Salt‐Based, Injectable Supramolecular Gels for Self‐Delivery, Cell Imaging and Other Materials Applications

Abstract

Both molecular and crystal-engineering approaches were exploited to synthesize a new class of multidrug-containing supramolecular gelators. A well-known nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, namely, indomethacin, was conjugated with six different l-amino acids to generate the corresponding peptides having free carboxylic acid functionality, which reacted further with an antiviral drug, namely, amantadine, a primary amine, in 1:1 ratio to yield six primary ammonium monocarboxylate salts. Half of the synthesized salts showed gelation ability that included hydrogelation, organogelation and ambidextrous gelation. The gels were characterized by table-top and dynamic rheology and different microscopic techniques. Further insights into the gelation mechanism were obtained by temperature-dependent H NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, photoluminescence and dynamic light scattering. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies on two gelator salts revealed the presence of 2D hydrogen-bonded networks. One such ambidextrous gelator (capable of gelling both pure water and methyl salicylate, which are important solvents for biological applications) was promising in both mechanical (rheoreversible and injectable) and biological (self-delivery) applications for future multidrug-containing injectable delivery vehicles.

Functionalized Ultrasmall Fluorinated Graphene with High NIR Absorbance for Controlled Delivery of Mixed Anticancer Drugs

“…Cancer is still the most prominent cause of death worldwide . Up to now, chemotherapy has been employed as one of the main approaches for cancer treatment . However, the efficacy is far from satisfying, mainly due to the drug‐delivery problems, including poor water‐solubility, insufficient cellular uptake, nonspecific delivery, and drug resistance .…”

Supramolecular Synthon Approach in Designing Molecular Gels for Advanced Therapeutics

“…The hydrogel of G83 was also found to be injectable—an important property required for subcutaneous application. The gelator salt G83 was also a good gelator of methyl salicylate that showed interesting material properties such as self‐healing and load bearing ( Figure ) …”

“…In = indomethacin, L=lipopolysaccharide, and Y=interferon‐γ. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2016, Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.…”

Salicylate Poisoning Potential of Topical Pain Relief Agents: From Age Old Remedies to Engineered Smart Patches

“…There remains considerable research into the design of supramolecular gelation layers than can encapsulate salicylates—and MS, in particular, with the aim of enhancing the biocompatibility of the host matrix and enabling more controllable release of the therapeutic agent [ 62 , 63 , 64 ]. While there are numerous formulations available, it is important to note that very few have been approved by the FDA for the temporary relief of pain relative to the many conditions associated with chronic pain, as indicated in Table 2 .…”