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A Dual Stimuli Responsive Supramolecular Gel Provides Insulin Hydrolysis Protection and Redox‐Controlled Release of Actives
Author(s) -
NavarroBarreda Diego,
AnguloPachón César A.,
Bedrina Begoña,
Galindo Francisco,
Miravet Juan F.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201900419
Subject(s) - chemistry , self healing hydrogels , moiety , hydrolysis , polymer chemistry , redox , tris , controlled release , combinatorial chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , chemical engineering , engineering
Two supramolecular hydrogelators containing a central disulfide moiety and terminal carboxylic acid groups are studied. On the one hand, the hydrogels are responsive to a reductive environment, which transforms the disulfide unit to the corresponding thiols. On the other hand, the hydrogels show pH response associated with the presence of carboxylic acid units. Gels are formed at pH below ≈4 while at higher pH values, ionization of the gelators provokes gel disassembly. The properties of the gel are exploited for the release, as a proof of concept, of Bromophenol Blue in the presence of the reducing species tris(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride. Additionally, insulin is loaded into the hydrogels and protected from hydrolysis with simulated gastric fluid containing pepsin. Quantitative release of unaltered insulin, checked with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay colorimetric assay, is observed upon treatment with pH 7.4 buffer. This behavior would permit the use of the new hydrogels for oral insulin delivery.