Dynamic Multicomponent Reactions-Directed Self-Assembled G-quadruplex Inherent Antibacterial Hydrogel

Nowadays, inherent antibacterial hydrogels have gained significant attention due to their utilization against infectious bacteria. Herein, we focus on the development of an injectable, self-healable, dynamic, and G-quadruplex hydrogel with inherent antibacterial activity. The dynamic self-assembled hydrogel is constructed upon multicomponent reactions (MCR) among guanosine, 2-formylphenylboronic acid, and amino acid/peptides in the presence of potassium ions. The role of amino acid/peptides in the formation of the G-quadruplex hydrogel is studied in detail. The G-quadruplex structure is formed via the π-π stacking of G-quartets. The formation of G-quadruplex is investigated by thioflavin T binding assay, CD spectroscopy, and PXRD. The formation of the dynamic imino-boronate bond in the hydrogels is well characterized by temperature-dependent ¹¹B NMR (VT-NMR) and FT-IR spectroscopy. Furthermore, HR-TEM images and rheological experiments reveal the fibrillar networks and viscoelastic property of the hydrogels. The presence of the dynamic imino-boronate ester bonds makes the hydrogel injectable and self-healable in nature. These dynamic G-quadruplex hydrogels show potential antibacterial activity against a series of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The hydrogels have been used for the entrapment and sustained release of an anticancer drug doxorubicin over 48 h at different pHs (4.8, 7.4, and 8.5) and temperature without the influence of any external stimuli. Such injectable and self-healable hydrogels could be used in various applications in the field of biomedical science.