Development of Natural-Drugs-Based Low-Molecular-Weight Supramolecular Gels

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• Natural small molecule drugs offer biocompatibility and diverse activities.
• Traditional natural drugs face challenges like poor water solubility and low bioavailability.
• Self-assembly of natural drugs into supramolecular gels is a promising approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review recent advancements in natural-drug-based low-molecular-weight supramolecular gels.
• To summarize the assembly mechanisms, structures, properties, and applications of these gels.
• To provide a reference for future research in this field.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of natural-drug-based supramolecular gels.
• Analysis of self-assembly mechanisms and gelation processes.
• Evaluation of gel properties, including drug loading, toxicity, and responsiveness.

Main Results:

• Natural drugs with rigid backbones can self-assemble into supramolecular gels.
• These gels exhibit improved drug solubility, bioavailability, high drug loading, and stimulus responsiveness.
• Applications span various biomedical fields.

Conclusions:

• Natural-drug-based supramolecular gels represent a significant advancement in drug delivery.
• These materials overcome limitations of parent drugs, offering enhanced therapeutic potential.
• Further research is warranted to explore their full potential in medicine.