UV Light-Responsive Peptide-Based Supramolecular Hydrogel for Controlled Drug Delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Low-molecular-weight peptide hydrogels are promising for drug delivery due to their tunable properties.
• Stimuli-responsive hydrogels offer controlled release mechanisms.
• Fluorenyl-methoxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) is a well-studied peptide hydrogelator.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive peptide hydrogelator for controlled drug release.
• To investigate the self-assembly, mechanical properties, and degradation behavior of the new hydrogel.
• To evaluate the potential of this hydrogel as a drug delivery system for large molecules.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of 6-nitroveratryloxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine (Nvoc-FF) peptide.
• Characterization of Nvoc-FF self-assembly into a nanofibrous hydrogel.
• Measurement of hydrogel mechanical properties (storage modulus).
• Encapsulation of insulin-fluorescein isothiocyanate (insulin-FITC) within the hydrogel.
• UV irradiation to induce hydrogel degradation and drug release.
• Correlation analysis of UV irradiation time and drug release.

Main Results:

• Nvoc-FF self-assembles into a 3D, self-supporting, nanofibrous hydrogel.
• The Nvoc-FF hydrogel demonstrates robust mechanical properties with a storage modulus of 40 kPa.
• UV irradiation leads to Nvoc-FF cleavage, hydrogel degradation, and release of encapsulated insulin-FITC.
• Drug release kinetics show a linear correlation with UV irradiation time.

Conclusions:

• A novel UV-sensitive peptide hydrogel (Nvoc-FF) was successfully developed.
• This light-responsive hydrogel system enables controlled release of large molecules like insulin.
• The Nvoc-FF hydrogel represents a promising platform for advanced drug delivery applications.