Enzyme catalysis: tool to make and break amygdalin hydrogelators from renewable resources: a delivery model for hydrophobic drugs

J Am Chem Soc. 2006 Jul 12;128(27):8932-8. doi: 10.1021/ja062650u.

Abstract

We report a novel approach for the controlled delivery of an antiinflammatory, chemopreventive drug by an enzyme-triggered drug release mechanism via the degradation of encapsulated hydrogels. The hydro- and organogelators are synthesized in high yields from renewable resources by using regioselective enzyme catalysis, and a known chemopreventive and antiinflammatory drug, i.e., curcumin, is used for the model study. The release of the drug occurred at physiological temperature, and control of the drug release rate is achieved by manipulating the enzyme concentration and/or temperature. The byproducts formed after the gel degradation were characterized and clearly demonstrated the site specificity of degradation of the gelator by enzyme catalysis. The present approach could have applications in developing cost-effective controlled drug delivery vehicles from renewable resources, with a potential impact on pharmaceutical research and molecular design and delivery strategies.

MeSH terms

  • Amygdalin / chemistry*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry*
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Enzymes / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels / chemical synthesis*
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Models, Molecular
  • Particle Size
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Solubility
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Enzymes
  • Hydrogels
  • Amygdalin