Metal ions modulation of the self-assembly of short peptide conjugated nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Nanoscale. 2020 Apr 14;12(14):7960-7968. doi: 10.1039/d0nr00572j. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

Abstract

Metal ions are essential components that help maintain the processes of normal life, and they can be used to fabricate self-assembled building blocks for peptide derivatives, proteins and nucleic acids. Here, we have developed a novel strategy to construct supramolecular hydrogels modulated using metal cations. Upon introducing a variety of metal ions into aqueous solutions of a gelator (naproxen-FF), including a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and dipeptide, we obtain stable hydrogels under neutral or alkaline conditions. It is found that these hydrogels with three-dimensional nanofiber networks exhibit excellent mechanical properties and thixotropy, as well as superb responsivity to multiple metal ions. Due to the significance of potassium ions in biological processes, the K-triggered hydrogel has been chosen as a model, and its self-assembly mechanism has been explored via various spectral analysis processes. In addition, the self-assembly performances of peptides are significantly affected by the chemical structures of the gelator molecules. This work provides deep insight into the aggregation mechanism of dipeptide-conjugating drug molecules through introducing a variety of metal ions, laying the foundation for further biological applications.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry*
  • Dipeptides / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Ions / chemistry
  • Metals / chemistry*
  • Nanofibers / chemistry
  • Rheology
  • Temperature
  • Thermogravimetry

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Dipeptides
  • Hydrogels
  • Ions
  • Metals