Formation mechanism, prevention of malignant ascites effusion and reduction of intestinal mucosal irritation of natural microemulsion from Euphorbia lathyris Pulveratum

Malignant ascites effusion (MAE) is a common complication of advanced malignant tumors with limited treatments. Euphorbia lathyris (EL) has a long history of application in patients with edema and ascites. Herein, we reported for the first time a mode in which EL and EL Pulveratum (PEL) spontaneously formed natural microemulsions (ELM and PELM) without the addition of any carriers and excipients, and found that the protein and phospholipid contained in them encapsulated fatty oil and diterpenoid esters through non-covalent interactions. The denaturation and degradation of protein in PELM resulted in stronger binding of diterpenoid esters to the hydrophobic region of protein, which facilitated the sustained and slow release of diterpenoid esters and improved their bioavailability in vivo, thereby retaining the efficacy of preventing MAE while alleviating the irritation of intestinal mucosa. The mechanism by which PELM retained efficacy might be related to increased feces moisture and urine volume, and decreased expression of AVPR2, cAMP, PKA and AQP3 in MAE mice. And its mechanism of reducing intestinal mucosal irritation was related to decreased cell apoptosis, amelioration of oxidative stress, elevation of mitochondrial membrane potential, and up-regulation of Occludin and Claudin-1 expression in IEC-6 cells. This nano-adjuvant-free natural microemulsions may be a promising therapeutic strategy in the field of phytochemistry for promoting the application of natural and efficient nano-aggregates spontaneously formed by medicinal plants in MAE, and provide a new perspective for advancing the development of the fusion of Chinese herbal medicine and nanomedicine and its clinical translation.

Single-component TADF gels: study of the positional isomer effect on gelation and morphological effect on conductivity

The gelation of two TADF positional isomers, 4BPy-mDTC and BPy-DTC, was explored. Among these emitters, only 4BPy-mDTC forms stable organogels due to the optimized intermolecular interactions. Interestingly, the morphology of the gel can be tuned from fibre to fettuccine by changing the solvents. The electrical conductivity of the self-assembly can also be increased from 8.05 × 10-4 S m-1 to 6.05 × 10-3 S m-1 by tuning the morphology.

Functional supramolecular gels based on poly(benzyl ether) dendrons and dendrimers

Supramolecular gels, as a fascinating and useful class of soft materials, constructed from low-molecular-weight gelators via noncovalent interactions have attracted increasing attention in the past few decades. Dendrimers and dendrons are highly branched and monodisperse macromolecules with a well-defined three-dimensional architecture and multiple surface functionalities. In recent years, poly(benzyl ether) dendrimers and dendrons are found to be powerful candidates for constructing gel phase materials in organic or aqueous media due to the advantages of capability of forming multiple noncovalent interactions and significant steric impact. In this Feature Article, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent progress in supramolecular gels involving poly(benzyl ether) dendritic molecules. Firstly, we outline the molecular design strategies of dendritic gelators with an emphasis on the discussion of their gelating units and position in molecular structures. Subsequently, we discuss the potential applications of dendritic gels in light harvesting, stimuli responsive materials, sensors and environmental remediation. In addition, the potential challenges and future perspectives of poly(benzyl ether) dendritic gels have also been discussed. It is hoped that this feature article will attract increasing attention and provide some valuable insights for the future design and evolution of supramolecular gels.

Berberine-Based Heterogeneous Linear Supramolecules Neutralized the Acute Nephrotoxicity of Aristolochic Acid by the Self-Assembly Strategy

Aristolochic acid (AA) has been reported to cause a series of health problems, including aristolochic acid nephropathy and liver cancer. However, AA-containing herbs are highly safe in combination with berberine (Ber)-containing herbs in traditional medicine, suggesting the possible neutralizing effect of Ber on the toxicity of AA. In the present study, in vivo systematic toxicological experiments performed in zebrafish and mice showed that the supramolecule self-assembly formed by Ber and AA significantly reduced the toxicity of AA and attenuated AA-induced acute kidney injury. Ber and AA can self-assemble into linear heterogenous supramolecules (A-B) via electrostatic attraction and π-π stacking, with the hydrophobic groups outside and the hydrophilic groups inside during the drug combination practice. This self-assembly strategy may block the toxic site of AA and hinder its metabolism. Meanwhile, A-B linear supramolecules did not disrupt the homeostasis of gut microflora as AA did. RNA-sequence analysis, immunostaining, and western blot of the mice kidney also showed that A-B supramolecules almost abolished the acute nephrotoxicity of AA in the activation of the immune system and tumorigenesis-related pathways.

Stimulus-responsive luminescent hydrogels: Design and applications

Luminescent hydrogels are emerging soft materials with applications in photoelectric, biomedicine, sensors and actuators, which are fabricated via covalently conjugation of luminophors to hydrogelators or physical loading of luminescent organic/inorganic materials into hydrogel matrices. Due to the intrinsic stimulus-responsiveness for hydrogels such as thermo-, pH, ionic strength, light and redox, luminescent hydrogels could respond to external physical or chemical stimuli through varying the luminescent properties such as colors, fluorescent intensity and so on, affording diverse application potential in addition to the pristine individual hydrogels or luminescent materials. Based on the rapid development of such area, here we systematically summarize and discuss the design protocols, properties as well as the applications of stimulus-responsive luminescent hydrogels. Because of the stimuli-responsiveness, biocompatibility, injectable and controllability of luminescent hydrogels, they are widely used as functional smart materials. We illustrate the applications of luminescent hydrogels. The future developments about luminescent hydrogels are also presented.

The effect of π-Conjugation on the self-assembly of micelles and controlled cargo release

Here we presented a novel micelle self-assembled from amphiphiles with π-conjugated moieties (OEG-DPH). The π-conjugated structural integrity of the micelles enabled stable encapsulation of Nile Red (NR, model drug). The self-assembly behaviour of the amphiphiles and the release profile of NR loaded micelles were investigated. Spherical core-shell structured NR loaded micelles with low CMC of 57 μg/mL and the efficient intracellular delivery process was monitored. This research provided a way to fabricate stable polymeric micelles and develop a practical nanocarrier for therapeutics delivery.

Water induced morphological transformation of a poly(aryl ether) dendron amphiphile: helical fibers to nanorods, as light-harvesting antenna systems

Self-assembly of suitable molecular building blocks is an efficient and convenient approach to generate nanomaterials with various morphologies and functions. Moreover, understanding the nature of molecules and controlling factors of their self-assembly process is crucial in fundamental aspects of molecular self-assembly which provide insights into the design of new assemblies with functional nano-architectures. To this end, the present study reports water induced self-assembled multifaceted morphology formation and the plausible pathway of the morphology transformation of a single poly(aryl ether) dendron amphiphile 1(D). In THF, 1(D) self-assembles into helical fibers. However, with an increase in the water fraction in its THF solution, the morphology changes to nanorods through an intermediate scroll-up pathway of exfoliated fibers. The nanorod formation and transformation of 1(D) are investigated using various microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, which indicate that it has highly ordered multilayered arrays of 1(D) molecules. Finally, these multilayered arrays of 1(D) nanorods are exploited for constructing a model light-harvesting system via the incorporation of small quantities of two newly designed BODIPY based molecules as energy acceptors and 1(D) as an antenna chromophore.

Charge Transfer Modulated Self-Assembly in Poly(aryl ether) Dendron Derivatives with Improved Stability and Transport Characteristics

Alteration of native gelation properties of anthracene and pyrene cored first generation poly(aryl ether) dendrons, G1-An and G1-Py, by introducing a common acceptor, 2,4,7-trinitro-9H-fluoren-9-one (TNF), results in forming charge transfer gels in long chain alcoholic solvents. This strategy leads to significant perturbation of optical and electronic properties within the gel matrix. Consequently, a noticeable increase of their electrical conductivities is observed, making these poly(aryl ether) dendron based gels potential candidates for organic electronics. While the dc-conductivity (σ) value for the native gel from G1-An is 2.8 × 10^-4 S m^-1, the value increased 3 times (σ = 8.7 × 10^-4 S m^-1) for its corresponding charge transfer gel. Further, the dc-conductivity for the native gel self-assembled from G1-Py dramatically enhanced by approximately an order of magnitude from 4.9 × 10^-4 to 1.3 × 10^-3 S m^-1, under the influence of an acceptor. Apart from H-bonding and π···π interactions, charge transfer results in the formation of a robust 3D network of fibers, with improved aspect ratio, providing high thermo-mechanical stability to the gels compared to the native ones. The charge transfer gels self-assembled from G1-An/TNF (1:1) and G1-Py/TNF exhibit a 7.3- and 2.5-fold increase in their yield stress, respectively, compared to their native assemblies. A similar trend follows in the case of their thermal stabilities. This is attributed to the typical bilayer self-assembly of the former which is not present in the case of G1-Py/TNF charge transfer gel. Density functional calculations provide deeper insights accounting for the role of charge transfer interactions in the mode of self-assembly. The 1D potential energy surface for the G1-An/TNF dimer and G1-Py/TNF dimer is found to be 11.8 and 1.9 kcal mol^-1 more stable than their corresponding native gel dimers, G1-An/G1-An and G1-Py/G1-Py, respectively.

T-shaped monopyridazinotetrathiafulvalene-amino acid diad based chiral organogels with aggregation-induced fluorescence emission

A series of pyridazine coupled tetrathiafulvalene T-shaped derivatives with varying amino acid moieties have been synthesized and their gelation properties were studied in various organic solvents. Among these derivatives, two gelators bearing glycine or phenylalanine units display efficient gelation in aromatic and polar solvents. Interestingly, these gelators, except for the gelator containing two tryptophan units, are able to gel DMF via a solution-to-gel transformation when triggered with sonication for less than 20 s or cooled below zero. A number of experiments revealed that these gelator molecules self-assembled into elastically interpenetrating three-dimensional chiral fibrillar aggregates. Importantly, all of the resulting gels result in a dramatic enhancement of the fluorescence intensity compared with their hot solution in spite of the absence of a conventional fluorophore unit and the fluorescence was effectively quenched by the introduction of C60. Moreover, the gelators can be utilized for the removal of different types of toxic molecules, such as aromatic solvents and cationic dyes, from wastewater.

Tuning of Aggregation Enhanced Emission and Solid State Emission from 1,8-Naphthalimide Derivatives: Nanoaggregates, Spectra, and DFT Calculations

Four new 1,8-naphthalimide based compounds, 4-(1,3-dioxo-1H,3H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-benzoic acid (LH), 4-(1,3-dioxo-1H,3H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-benzoic acid methyl ester (LMe), 4-(1,3-dioxo-1H,3H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-benzoyl chloride (LCl), and 4-(1,3-dioxo-1H,3H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-benzoic acid hydrazide (LN) are synthesized and characterized using spectral data and X-ray crystallography. They form nanoaggregates in aqueous-DMF solution and exhibited aggregation enhanced emission. The nanoaggregates are characterized using their scanning electron and atomic force microscopy images. The emission intensity follows the order as LH > LMe > LCl > LN. Their photophysical properties are recorded both in solution and in the solid-state and are correlated with the nature of benzoic acid derivatives owing to the combinatorial effect of π-π stacking and intermolecular and intramolecular interactions. The density functional theory calculations empower the understanding of their molecular and cumulative electronic behaviors. Antiparallel dimeric interactions in the solid-state extend a herringbone arrangement to LH and 2D channel and stair-like arrangement for LCl and LN, respectively.

Synthesis of multi-functional materials through self-assembly of N-alkyl phenothiazine linked poly(aryl ether) dendrons

Multi-functional materials developed from low molecular weight dendron gelators for phase selective gelation, a hydrophobic surface and invisible ink-gel formation.

Heat-set gels formed from easily accessible gelators of a succinamic acid derivative (SAD) and a primary alkyl amine (R-NH2)

Currently, the design and construction of an intelligent stimuli-responsive gel system is still a significant challenge. We present here a new gel system from which the formation of heat-set gels, conventional gels and irreversible heat-set gels can be achieved in aromatic solvents. This gel system is based on two-component gelators containing a succinamic acid derivative (SAD) and a primary alkyl amine (R-NH2). With the increase of temperature to 85 °C, a rarely reported reversible heat-set gel (gel formation with the increase of temperature) is afforded. Upon addition of fatty acids into two-component gelators, a conventional gel (gel formation with the decrease of temperature) is formed. When the fatty acid is replaced with dicarboxylic acid, a new heat-set gel is generated, which is irreversible and thermally super-stable. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the formation of a reversible heat-set gel relies on electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic interactions. These two-component gelators show a perfect gel system for the formation of diverse gels including heat-set gels, conventional gels and irreversible heat-set gels. The tunable strategy demonstrated in this letter may provide a new way for creation of more functional gels in gel science.

Cystine-derived bis-naphthalimides as stimuli-responsive fluorescent gelators

Stimuli-responsive fluorescence modulation of two cystine-derived bis-naphthalimide gelators was demonstrated using fluoride/tetrafluoroborate anions as the chemical inputs.

Long-chain alkylamide-derived oil gels: mixing induced onset of thixotropy and application in sustained drug release

Oil gels composed of long-chain alkylamides exhibited thixotropic properties, although the same property was absent in each alkylamide.

Tuning of multiple luminescence outputs and white-light emission from a single gelator molecule through an ESIPT coupled AIEE process

A single gelator molecule (1) shows an ESIPT coupled AIEE process for generating multiple luminescent colors, including white-light, with varying aggregation as a function of the water content in a THF–water mixture. Luminescent property of 1 is retained in gel as well as in solid state.

N-Alkylamido-d-glucamine-based gelators for the generation of thixotropic gels

Hydrogels made from new gelators exhibit thixotropic properties, whereas hydrogels formed with structurally similar N-alkyl-d-glucamide have a tendency to crystallize.

Metal induced gelation from pyridine cored poly(aryl ether) dendrons with in situ synthesis and stabilization of hybrid hydrogel composites

Metal induced gel formation from pyridine cored poly(aryl ether) dendrons has been achieved. In addition, the gel is successfully utilized for in situ synthesis and stabilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which form an unprecedented, well-organized arrangement on the nanofibers.

Creation of thixotropic multicomponent alkylamide organogels containing non-volatile oil as potential drug release host materials

Multicomponent alkylamide organogels containing non-volatile oils were generated as potential thixotropic host materials for medicinal applications such as ointments.