Impact of Citrate and Lipid-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles in Dehydropeptide Supramolecular Magnetogels: Properties, Design and Drug Release
Sérgio R. S. Veloso, Joana F. G. Silva, Loïc Hilliou, C. Moura, Paulo J. G. Coutinho, José A. Martins, Martín Testa‐Anta, Verónica Salgueiriño, Miguel A. Correa‐Duarte, Paula M. T. Ferreira, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
Abstract
Currently, the nanoparticle functionalization effect on supramolecular peptide-based hydrogels remains undescribed, but is expected to affect the hydrogels’ self-assembly and final magnetic gel properties. Herein, two different functionalized nanoparticles: citrate-stabilized (14.4 ± 2.6 nm) and lipid-coated (8.9 ± 2.1 nm) magnetic nanoparticles, were used for the formation of dehydropeptide-based supramolecular magnetogels consisting of the ultra-short hydrogelator Cbz-L-Met-Z-ΔPhe-OH, with an assessment of their effect over gel properties. The lipid-coated nanoparticles were distributed along the hydrogel fibers, while citrate-stabilized nanoparticles were aggregated upon gelation, which resulted into a heating efficiency improvement and decrease, respectively. Further, the lipid-coated nanoparticles did not affect drug encapsulation and displayed improved drug release reproducibility compared to citrate-stabilized nanoparticles, despite the latter attaining a stronger AMF-trigger. This report points out that adsorption of nanoparticles to hydrogel fibers, which display domains that improve or do not affect drug encapsulation, can be explored as a means to optimize the development of supramolecular magnetogels to advance theranostic applications.