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Supramolecular Tripeptide Hydrogel Assembly with 5-Fluorouracil
Evelina Parisi1, Ana M Garcia2, Domenico Marson3
1Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste; Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy. evelina.parisi@gmail.com.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 30, 2019
Summary
This study developed a novel supramolecular drug delivery system using a tripeptide hydrogel to encapsulate the antineoplastic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The system demonstrated controlled release of 5-FU, showing promise for cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Antineoplastic drugs like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are crucial in cancer treatment.
- Developing effective drug delivery systems is essential for improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects.
- Supramolecular hydrogels offer unique properties for controlled drug release applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a novel supramolecular drug delivery system by embedding 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) within a heterochiral tripeptide hydrogel.
- To characterize the structural and dynamic properties of the hydrogel-drug system.
- To evaluate the in vitro release kinetics of 5-FU from the hydrogel.
Main Methods:
- Thioflavin T fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), circular dichroism (CD), and Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used for structural characterization.
- Oscillatory rheometry assessed the mechanical properties of the hydrogel.
- Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) monitored 5-FU release over time.
- All-atom molecular dynamics simulations probed the drug-hydrogel interactions.
Main Results:
- The heterochiral tripeptide hydrogel successfully encapsulated 5-FU, forming a stable supramolecular system.
- Characterization techniques confirmed the structural integrity of the hydrogel and the presence of the drug.
- HPLC analysis demonstrated a controlled release profile of 5-FU from the hydrogel over the study period.
- Molecular dynamics simulations provided insights into the interaction mechanisms between 5-FU and the tripeptide assemblies.
Conclusions:
- The developed tripeptide hydrogel-based supramolecular system is a promising platform for the controlled delivery of 5-fluorouracil.
- The study highlights the potential of supramolecular hydrogels in enhancing the therapeutic delivery of antineoplastic agents.
- Further investigations are warranted to explore the in vivo efficacy and safety of this drug delivery system.
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