Abstract
Abstract Self-assembled hydrogels from 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-modified diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) peptides were evaluated as potential vehicles for drug delivery. During self-assembly of Fmoc-FF, high concentrations of indomethacin (IDM) drugs were shown to be incorporated into the hydrogels. The β-sheet arrangement of peptides was found to be predominant in Fmoc-FF–IDM hydrogels regardless of the IDM content. The release mechanism for IDM displayed a biphasic profile comprising an initial hydrogel erosion-dominated stage followed by the diffusion-controlled stage. Small amounts of polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM) added to the hydrogel (Fmoc-FF 0.5%–IDM 0.5%–PAMAM 0.03%) resulted in a more prolonged IDM release compared with Fmoc-FF 0.5%–IDM 0.5% hydrogel. Furthermore, these IDM-loaded hydrogels demonstrated excellent thixotropic response and injectability, which make them suitable candidates for use as injectable self-healing matrices for drug delivery.
Highlights
Polymeric hydrogels have been found to have many advantages when used for drug delivery when compared with intravenous or subcutaneous injections
Gelation was confirmed by the formation of self-supporting samples that did not flow when inverted by 180° indicating that IDM molecules were successfully incorporated into the hydrogel matrix during Fmoc-FF self-assembly (Figure 2b)
High concentrations of IDM drugs can be incorporated into hydrogels during the self-assembly of Fmoc-FF
Summary
Polymeric hydrogels have been found to have many advantages when used for drug delivery when compared with intravenous or subcutaneous injections. Fmoc-diphenylalanine-based hydrogels as a potential carrier for drug delivery 459 the release profile of the drug. Hydrogels have been engineered for improved load efficiency and sustained release of IDM. The Fmoc-FF peptide exhibited a unique self-assembly behavior that allowed easy integration of hydrophobic IDM into the gel matrix. The physicochemical properties of IDM-loaded FmocFF hydrogels were evaluated, including the rheological properties, secondary structure of Fmoc-FF, and release behavior of IDM. The addition of PAMAM to IDM-loaded Fmoc-FF gels is shown to improve the sustained release behavior of IDM. The effect of PAMAM on the self-assembly and resulting secondary structure of Fmoc-FF hydrogels was investigated. A rheological experiment demonstrated that these IDM-loaded hydrogels are thixotropic, which makes them injectable and self-healing carriers for drug delivery
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