Photocontrol of Drug Release from Supramolecular Hydrogels with Green Light

Abstract

Photoresponsive smart materials transform light energy into sophisticated functions. They find increasing biomedical applications in light-induced drug-release and photopharmacology, because they can provide the desired therapeutic effect locally due to precise spatiotemporal dosage control. However, the majority of reported studies rely on cytotoxic UV light that penetrates tissues poorly. Here, we report the first drug-releasing system based on photochromic low molecular weight supramolecular hydrogels that is triggered with visible light. We demonstrated green-light-induced release of structurally unmodified antibiotic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory drugs under physiological conditions. Using the antibiotic-loaded gel, we selectively inhibited bacterial growth with green light.

Recent Implementations of Molecular Photoswitches into Smart Materials and Biological Systems

“…Another type of photochromic supramolecular assembly, based on low‐molecular‐weight cyclic dipeptides (2,5‐diketopiperazines) with AB‐substituted ( S )‐alanine residues, results in hydrogel formation under physiological conditions. The gels can encapsulate several common classes of unmodified drugs or biopolymers and reversibly dissipate to fluids upon irradiation with UV or visible light (Figure ), concomitantly releasing the cargo in its active form. Photocontrol with green light over a simple biological system, growth of bacterial cultures, was achieved by using hydrogels filled with an antibiotic ciprofloxacin …”

Fluorinated Azobenzenes Switchable with Red Light

“…Azobenzene derivatives modified with fluorine atoms adjacent to the azo bond (“ ortho‐ fluoroazobenzenes”) belong to the most thermostable photochromic systems triggered with visible light ( E→Z 530 nm, Z→E 410 nm). They combine efficient synthesis with pronounced geometry changes upon isomerization, [21] and biological stability [6b] . This chromophore found numerous applications in photocontrol of materials [22] and biological systems [23] with visible light.…”

Photoactivation Strategies for Therapeutic Release in Nanodelivery Systems

“…Gating mSiO 2 @Azo/CD Curcumin Azobenzene/CD (Vis) [ 160] Supramolecular vesicle DOX Azobenezene/CD (UV) [ 163] mSiO 2 @Azo/CD DOX Azobenzene/CD (650) [ 224] mSiO 2 @Azo-dsDNA DOX Azobenzene (365) [ 164] UCN@Azo DOX Azobenzene (980) [ 161] UCN@Azoliposome DOX Azolipid (980) [ 120] MSN@Azo/cucurbituril DOX Azobenzene/cucurbituril (350) [ 225] MSN@coumarate Naproxen Coumarate (254, 365) [ 226] MSN@fumaramide/rotaxane Rhodamine B Fumaramide/rotaxane (365) [ 165] Polymer vesicle DAPI Spiropyran (420) [ 227] Folate polymer NP DOX, Camptothecin DASA (550) [ 228] Disassembly Polymer micelle Nile Red Azobenzene (365) [ 229] Polymer micelle Erlotinib Azobenzene (365) [ 230] HA polymer NP siRNA Azobenzene/CD (365) [ 236] Azo/CD polymer micelle Rhodamine B Azobenzene/CD (365) [ 231] Azo/CD polymer micelle (R/S)-Propranolol Azobenzene/CD (UV) [ 234] Azo/CD polymer micelle DOX Azobenzene/CD (800) [ 235] Polymer micelle Paclitaxel DASA (550) [ 238] Hydrogel GFP Azobenzene/CD (365) [ 232] Hydrogel Ciprofloxacin Azobenzene (523) [ 239] MOF@5-FU 5-FU Azobenzene (340) [ 240] UCN@DOX DOX Azobenzene/CD (980) [ 233] isomerization to trans-azobenzene due to AuNR photothermal heating. This delivery condition proved effective for in vivo DOX delivery in zebrafish embryo.…”