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Long-Acting Antibacterial Hydrogels Constructed by Interface-Induced Directional Assembly
Xiongtao Ji1, Na Wang1,2,3, Jingkang Wang1,2,3
1National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Crystallization Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|July 11, 2024
Summary
Interface-induced self-assembly creates distinct fiber hydrogels from therapeutic molecules, unlike spherical aggregates. This controlled method offers adjustable drug release and sustained antibacterial action.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Self-assembled hydrogels are crucial for drug delivery, but controlled assembly of therapeutic agents is challenging due to complex molecular interactions.
- Molecular behavior at interfaces may differ from bulk solutions, impacting hydrogel formation and properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate interface-induced self-assembly for controlled hydrogel formation using therapeutic agents.
- To explore the distinct self-assembly mechanisms and resulting hydrogel structures at interfaces versus bulk solutions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cephradine (CEP) as a model therapeutic agent to study self-assembly.
- Compared fiber hydrogel formation at interfaces with spherical aggregate formation in bulk aqueous solutions.
- Analyzed the impact of anisotropic molecular packing at interfaces on supramolecular polymorphism.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated interface-induced self-assembly of distinct fiber hydrogels, differing from bulk spherical aggregates.
- Showcased the ability to control supramolecular polymorphism through interface engineering.
- The resulting interface-induced hydrogels exhibited adjustable drug release kinetics and prolonged bactericidal efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Interface-induced self-assembly offers a novel strategy for direct, controlled hydrogel formation of therapeutic agents.
- This approach overcomes limitations associated with complex molecular conformations and interactions in bulk solutions.
- The developed hydrogels hold promise for advanced drug delivery systems with tunable release profiles and sustained therapeutic effects.
