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Cenciarelli F, Pieraccini S, Masiero S, Falini G, Giuri D, Tomasini C. Experimental Correlation between Apparent p Ka and Gelation Propensity in Amphiphilic Hydrogelators Derived from l-Dopa. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:5058-5067. [PMID: 39013138 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
We report the gelation propensity of three gelators derived from l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-Dopa), where the amino group is derivatized with three different fatty acids (lauric acid, palmitic acid, and azelaic acid). The long aliphatic side chains should introduce additional van der Waals interactions among the molecules, contributing to the self-assembly process. The hydrogels have been prepared with the pH change method, and both the hydrogels and the corresponding aerogels have been analyzed using several techniques. In any case, Lau-Dopa provides stronger hydrogels compared with the other gelators. This property may be ascribed to its tendency to efficiently form supramolecular β-sheet structures, as outlined by the ECD, IR, and SEM analyses. Moreover, the preliminary measurement of the apparent pKa displays for Lau-Dopa two plateaux, as previously observed for, one at about pH 12 and a second one at pH 7.5. Thus, its pKa results in two apparent pKa shifts of ∼8.5 and ∼4 pH units above the theoretical pKa, as a consequence of a multistep self-assembly pathway that correlates, in the final β-sheet-based hydrogel, with a high degree of order and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabia Cenciarelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Pieraccini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Masiero
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Falini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
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2
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Giuri D, Cenciarelli F, Tomasini C. Low-molecular-weight gels from amino acid and peptide derivatives for controlled release and delivery. J Pept Sci 2024:e3643. [PMID: 39010663 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight (LMW) gelators are a versatile class of compounds able to self-assemble and to form supramolecular materials, such as gels. The use of LMW peptides to produce these gels shows many advantages, because of their wide structure tunability, the low-cost and effective synthesis, and the in vivo biocompatibility and biodegradability, which makes them optimal candidates for release and delivery applications. In addition, in these materials, the binding of the hosts may occur through a variety of noncovalent interactions, which are also the main factors responsible for the self-assembly of the gelators, and through specific interactions with the fibers or the pores of the gel matrix. This review aims to report LMW gels based on amino acid and peptide derivatives used for the release of many different species (drugs, fragrances, dyes, proteins, and cells) with a focus on the possible strategies to incorporate the cargo in these materials, and to demonstrate how versatile these self-assembled materials are in several applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabia Cenciarelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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3
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Mucaria A, Giuri D, Tomasini C, Falini G, Montroni D. Tunable Oxidized-Chitin Hydrogels with Customizable Mechanical Properties by Metal or Hydrogen Ion Exposure. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:164. [PMID: 38667781 PMCID: PMC11051383 DOI: 10.3390/md22040164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study focuses on the optimization of chitin oxidation in C6 to carboxylic acid and its use to obtain a hydrogel with tunable resistance. After the optimization, water-soluble crystalline β-chitin fibrils (β-chitOx) with a degree of functionalization of 10% were obtained. Diverse reaction conditions were also tested for α-chitin, which showed a lower reactivity and a slower reaction kinetic. After that, a set of hydrogels was synthesized from β-chitOx 1 wt.% at pH 9, inducing the gelation by sonication. These hydrogels were exposed to different environments, such as different amounts of Ca2+, Na+ or Mg2+ solutions, buffered environments such as pH 9, PBS, pH 5, and pH 1, and pure water. These hydrogels were characterized using rheology, XRPD, SEM, and FT-IR. The notable feature of these hydrogels is their ability to be strengthened through cation chelation, being metal cations or hydrogen ions, with a five- to tenfold increase in their storage modulus (G'). The ions were theorized to alter the hydrogen-bonding network of the polymer and intercalate in chitin's crystal structure along the a-axis. On the other hand, the hydrogel dissolved at pH 9 and pure water. These bio-based tunable hydrogels represent an intriguing material suitable for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Devis Montroni
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via F. Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.M.); (D.G.); (C.T.); (G.F.)
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Giuri D, Ravarino P, Tomasini C. Transparent Organogels as a Medium for the Light-Induced Conversion from Spiropyran to Merocyanine. Gels 2023; 9:932. [PMID: 38131918 PMCID: PMC10742928 DOI: 10.3390/gels9120932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight peptide gelators are a versatile class of compounds able to form gels under a variety of conditions, even via simple ultrasound sonication. In this paper, the ability of Boc-L-Phe-D-Oxd-L-Phe-OBn to gelate three organic solvents (toluene, tert-butyl methyl ether, and ethanol) was evaluated. The rheological behaviour of the materials was assessed via strain sweep analysis, while the fibrous network was analysed via optical microscopy on the wet gels. The gel obtained from toluene is a highly transparent material, and the one from ethanol appears translucent, while the one from tert-butyl methyl ether is opaque. These gels were used to study the reversible light-induced transformation from spyropiran (SP) to merocyanine (MC) and back, as a model system to check the effect of the gel medium onto the rection kinetic. We observed that the solvent used to form the organogels has a crucial effect on the reaction, as gels from aprotic solvents stabilize the SP form, while the ones from protic solvents stabilize the MC form. We thus obtained a solid support to stabilize the two photochromic species just by changing the solvent polarity. Moreover, we could demonstrate that the self-assembled gels do not interfere with the light-driven conversion process, either starting from SP or MC, thus representing a valid and economical photochromic material.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claudia Tomasini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (P.R.)
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Cenciarelli F, Falini G, Giuri D, Tomasini C. Controlled Lactonization of o-Coumaric Esters Mediated by Supramolecular Gels. Gels 2023; 9:gels9040350. [PMID: 37102962 PMCID: PMC10137337 DOI: 10.3390/gels9040350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragrances are volatile organic compounds widely used in our daily life. Unfortunately, the high volatility required to reach human receptors reduces their persistency in the air. To contrast this effect, several strategies may be used. Among them, we present here the combination of two techniques: the microencapsulation in supramolecular gels and the use of profragrances. We report a study on the controlled lactonization of four esters derived from o-coumaric acid. The ester lactonization spontaneously occurs after exposure to solar light, releasing coumarin and the corresponding alcohol. To determine the rate of fragrance release, we compared the reaction in solution and in a supramolecular gel and we demonstrated that the lactonization reaction always occurs slower in the gel. We also studied the more suitable gel for this aim, by comparing the properties of two supramolecular gels obtained with the gelator Boc-L-DOPA(Bn)2-OH in a 1:1 ethanol/water mixture in different gelator concentration (0.2% and 1% w/v). The gel prepared with 1% w/v gelator concentration is stronger and less transparent than the other and was used for the profragrances encapsulation. In any case, we obtained a significative reduction of lactonization reaction in gel, compared with the same reaction in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabia Cenciarelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Falini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Jia X, Chen J, Xu W, Wang Q, Wei X, Ma Y, Chen F, Zhang G. Molecular dynamics study of low molecular weight gel forming salt-triggered dipeptide. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6328. [PMID: 37072489 PMCID: PMC10113269 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33166-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular dynamics simulation method was used to study the aggregation of Na and Ca salts in different concentrations of Naphthalene-dipeptide (2NapFF) solutions. The results show that high-valence Ca2+ triggers the formation of a gel at a certain dipeptide concentration, and the low-valence Na+ system follows the aggregation law of general surfactants. The results also show that hydrophobic and electrostatic forces are the main driving forces for the formation of dipeptide aggregates, and that hydrogen bonds do not play a major role in the formation of dipeptide solution aggregates. Hydrophobic and electrostatic effects are the main driving forces for the formation of gels in dipeptide solutions triggered by Ca2+. Electrostatic attraction drives Ca2+ to form a weak coordination with four oxygen atoms on two carboxyl groups, which causes the dipeptide molecules to form a gel with a branched network structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangfeng Jia
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, Shandong, China.
| | - Jingfei Chen
- Key Laboratory Biofuels and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
| | - Wen Xu
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, Shandong, China
| | - Qi Wang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wei
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, Shandong, China
| | - Yongshan Ma
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, Shandong, China
| | - Feiyong Chen
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, Shandong, China
- Institute of Resources and Environment Innovation, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, Shandong, China
| | - Guiqin Zhang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, Shandong, China.
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Delivery of Active Peptides by Self-Healing, Biocompatible and Supramolecular Hydrogels. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062528. [PMID: 36985499 PMCID: PMC10057174 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular and biocompatible hydrogels with a tunable pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.6 lead to a wide variety of formulations useful for many different topical applications compatible with the skin pH. An in vitro viability/cytotoxicity test of the gel components demonstrated that they are non-toxic, as the cells continue to proliferate after 48 h. An analysis of the mechanical properties demonstrates that the hydrogels have moderate strength and an excellent linear viscoelastic range with the absence of a proper breaking point, confirmed with thixotropy experiments. Two cosmetic active peptides (Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2 and Palmitoyl tripeptide-5) were successfully added to the hydrogels and their transdermal permeation was analysed with Franz diffusion cells. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analyses of the withdrawn samples from the receiving solutions showed that Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2 permeated in a considerable amount while almost no transdermal permeation of Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 was observed.
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Low-Molecular-Weight Gels as Smart Materials for the Enhancement of Antioxidants Activity. COSMETICS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics10020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Antioxidants are important substances used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields that are able to block free radicals. These compounds can be incorporated into formulations for many reasons, such as release over time or preservation of the formulation activity and applicability. In the present study, a low-molecular-weight gel made with Boc-L-DOPA(Bn)2-OH was studied as suitable material to host antioxidants and improve their activity. The solvent change (DMSO/H2O) in combination with temperature was the technological procedure for the preparation of the gel. Two different antioxidants were tested: (1) α-tocopherol and (2) postbiotics. The antioxidant activity of α-tocopherol and of the postbiotics in the gel, measured by the (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay, showed higher values than those in the pure solvent. The antioxidant activity of the gel with 0.8 w/v% of gelator and α-tocopherol in the concentration range of 5–100 µM was 2.7–1.1 times higher on average than in the pure solvent. In the case of both postbiotics, the biggest difference was observed at 30% of postbiotics in the gel with 0.5% of a gelator, when the antioxidant activity was 4.4 to 4.7 times higher than that in the pure solvent.
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Bassan R, Varshney M, Roy S. An Amino Acid‐Based Thixotropic Hydrogel: Tuning of Gel Recovery Time by Mechanical Shaking. ChemistrySelect 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202203317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruchika Bassan
- Department of chemistry Birla Institute of Technology and science-Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus NH 17B, Zuarinagar Sancoale Goa 403726 India
| | - Mayank Varshney
- Application Specialist Characterization Division Anton Paar India Pvt. Ltd. 582, Phase V, Udyog Vihar Industrial Area, Gurgaon 122016 Haryana) India
| | - Subhasish Roy
- Department of chemistry Birla Institute of Technology and science-Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus NH 17B, Zuarinagar Sancoale Goa 403726 India
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Han Q, Wang Q, Gao A, Ge X, Wan R, Cao X. Fluorescent Quinoline-Based Supramolecular Gel for Selective and Ratiometric Sensing Zinc Ion with Multi-Modes. Gels 2022; 8:605. [PMID: 36286106 PMCID: PMC9601706 DOI: 10.3390/gels8100605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
A gelator 1 containing functional quinoline and Schiff base groups that could form organogels in DMF, DMSO, acetone, ethanol and 1,4-dioxane was designed and synthesized. The self-assembly process of geator 1 was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence emission spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and water contact angle. Under non-covalent interactions, gelator 1 self-assembled into microbelts and nanofiber structures with different surface wettability. Weak fluorescence was emitted from the solution and gel state of 1. Interestingly, gelator 1 exhibited good selectivity and sensitivity towards Zn2+ in solution and gel states along with its emission enhancement and change. The emission intensity at 423 nm of solution 1 in 1,4-dioxane was slightly enhanced, and a new emission peak appeared at 545 nm along with its intensity sequentially strengthened in the titration process. The obvious ratiometric detection process was presented with a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.51 μM. The detection mechanism was revealed by a theoretical calculation and NMR titration experiment, which was that Zn2+ induced the transition from trans- to cis- of molecule 1 and further coordinated with 1. This study will introduce a new method for the construction of functional self-assembly gel sensors for the detection of Zn2+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Han
- Henan Province Key Laboratory of Utilization of Non-Metallic Mineral in the South of Henan Green Catalysis, Synthesis Key Laboratory of Xinyang City, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Qingqing Wang
- Henan Province Key Laboratory of Utilization of Non-Metallic Mineral in the South of Henan Green Catalysis, Synthesis Key Laboratory of Xinyang City, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Aiping Gao
- Henan Province Key Laboratory of Utilization of Non-Metallic Mineral in the South of Henan Green Catalysis, Synthesis Key Laboratory of Xinyang City, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Xuefei Ge
- Henan Province Key Laboratory of Utilization of Non-Metallic Mineral in the South of Henan Green Catalysis, Synthesis Key Laboratory of Xinyang City, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Rong Wan
- Henan Province Key Laboratory of Utilization of Non-Metallic Mineral in the South of Henan Green Catalysis, Synthesis Key Laboratory of Xinyang City, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Xinhua Cao
- Henan Province Key Laboratory of Utilization of Non-Metallic Mineral in the South of Henan Green Catalysis, Synthesis Key Laboratory of Xinyang City, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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Short Peptide-Based Smart Thixotropic Hydrogels †. Gels 2022; 8:gels8090569. [PMID: 36135280 PMCID: PMC9498505 DOI: 10.3390/gels8090569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Thixotropy is a fascinating feature present in many gel systems that has garnered a lot of attention in the medical field in recent decades. When shear stress is applied, the gel transforms into sol and immediately returns to its original state when resting. The thixotropic nature of the hydrogel has inspired scientists to entrap and release enzymes, therapeutics, and other substances inside the human body, where the gel acts as a drug reservoir and can sustainably release therapeutics. Furthermore, thixotropic hydrogels have been widely used in various therapeutic applications, including drug delivery, cornea regeneration and osteogenesis, to name a few. Because of their inherent biocompatibility and structural diversity, peptides are at the forefront of cutting-edge research in this context. This review will discuss the rational design and self-assembly of peptide-based thixotropic hydrogels with some representative examples, followed by their biomedical applications.
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Controlled Hydrolysis of Odorants Schiff Bases in Low-Molecular-Weight Gels. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063105. [PMID: 35328526 PMCID: PMC8952255 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Imines or Schiff bases (SB) are formed by the condensation of an aldehyde or a ketone with a primary amine, with the removal of a water molecule. Schiff bases are central molecules in several biological processes for their ability to form and cleave by small variation of the medium. We report here the controlled hydrolysis of four SBs that may be applied in the fragrance industry, as they are profragrances all containing odorant molecules: methyl anthranilate as primary amine, and four aldehydes (cyclamal, helional, hydroxycitronellal and triplal) that are very volatile odorants. The SB stability was assessed over time by HPLC-MS in neutral or acidic conditions, both in solution and when trapped in low molecular weight gels. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to control the hydrolysis of the Schiff bases in the gel environment, thus tuning the quantity of aldehyde released and the persistency of the fragrance.
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Ravarino P, Di Domenico N, Barbalinardo M, Faccio D, Falini G, Giuri D, Tomasini C. Fluorine Effect in the Gelation Ability of Low Molecular Weight Gelators. Gels 2022; 8:gels8020098. [PMID: 35200480 PMCID: PMC8871896 DOI: 10.3390/gels8020098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The three gelators presented in this work (Boc-D-Phe-L-Oxd-OH F0, Boc-D-F1Phe-L-Oxd-OH F1 and Boc-D-F2Phe-L-Oxd-OH F2) share the same scaffold and differ in the number of fluorine atoms linked to the aromatic ring of phenylalanine. They have been applied to the preparation of gels in 0.5% or 1.0% w/v concentration, using three methodologies: solvent switch, pH change and calcium ions addition. The general trend is an increased tendency to form structured materials from F0 to F1 and F2. This property ends up in the formation of stronger materials when fluorine atoms are present. Some samples, generally formed by F1 or F2 in 0.5% w/v concentration, show high transparency but low mechanical properties. Two gels, both containing fluorine atoms, show increased stiffness coupled with high transparency. The biocompatibility of the gelators was assessed exposing them to fibroblast cells and demonstrated that F1 and F2 are not toxic to cells even in high concentration, while F0 is not toxic to cells only in a low concentration. In conclusion, the presence of even only one fluorine atom improves all the gelators properties: the gelation ability of the compound, the rheological properties and the transparency of the final materials and the gelator biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Ravarino
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Nadia Di Domenico
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Marianna Barbalinardo
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, (ISMN-CNR)-Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Davide Faccio
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppe Falini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (D.G.); (C.T.); Tel.: +39-0512099486 (C.T.)
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (D.G.); (C.T.); Tel.: +39-0512099486 (C.T.)
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14
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Giuri D, Ravarino P, Tomasini C. L-Dopa in small peptides: an amazing functionality to form supramolecular materials. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 19:4622-4636. [PMID: 33978030 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob00378j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
l-Dopa (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) is a chiral amino acid generated via biosynthesis from l-tyrosine in plants and some animals. The presence of multiple interacting sites makes l-Dopa a multifunctional building block for the preparation of supramolecular materials. The possibility to form hydrogen bonds and the presence of the aromatic ring allow l-Dopa molecules to interact through a series of non-covalent interactions. The additional presence of the catechol moiety really makes this compound unique: not only does it have implications in the self-assembly process of Dopa itself and with other substrates, but also it highly increases the number of applications of the final material, since it works as an antioxidant, radical trapper, metal chelator, reducing agent and adhesive. l-Dopa and catechol containing derivatives have been extensively introduced inside both synthetic and natural polymers to obtain amazing functional materials. In this review we report the preparation of small peptides containing l-Dopa, focusing on the supramolecular materials that can be obtained with them, ranging from fibrils to fibres, gels, films and coatings, all having the different applications mentioned above and many others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician - Università di Bologna - Via Selmi, 2-40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Paolo Ravarino
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician - Università di Bologna - Via Selmi, 2-40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician - Università di Bologna - Via Selmi, 2-40126 Bologna, Italy.
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