{"title":"Supramolecular nanofibers of natural asiaticoside for self-supporting gelation and enhanced transdermal delivery.","authors":"Xixi Hu, Shuang Tian, Jiao Wang, Weixi Luo, Jiangli Yao, Rui Zhu, Yiyuan Dai, Hongyun Li, Yuhua Ma, Chen Liu, Wenping Wang","doi":"10.3389/fbioe.2025.1589865","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The study aimed to develop a supramolecular hydrogel of asiaticoside (AS) via self-assembly and evaluate its potential for enhanced transdermal delivery.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>AS was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dispersed into a glycerol-water mixture (3:7 v/v) via ultrasonication to induce gelation. The critical gelation concentration (CGC) was determined through macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. Morphological analysis was performed using various microscopy techniques. Physicochemical properties were assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV-VIS spectroscopy. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with general AMBER force field (GAFF) parameters were used to analyze assembly dynamics. Rheological behavior and transdermal performance were tested using a rheometer and Franz diffusion cells, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The hydrogel formed at a CGC of 0.5% w/v, exhibiting pH-responsive gelation and a nanofibrous architecture. MD simulations revealed hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking as the dominant drivers of assembly, supported by FTIR peak shifts. The hydrogel demonstrated shear-thinning behavior (G' > G″) and thermal stability below 70°C. Compared to the AS suspension, the hydrogel enhanced transdermal flux by 1.73-fold and skin retention by 2.04-fold, attributed to supersaturated drug molecules and sustained release from the nanofiber network.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This work pioneers the use of AS as a natural supramolecular gelator, addressing its bioavailability challenges through nanostructured self-assembly. The hydrogel's dual functionality (pH-responsive gelation and enhanced permeation) offers a sustainable platform for the transdermal delivery of hydrophobic phytochemicals, bridging phytochemistry and nanobiotechnology. This strategy expands the application of plant-derived saponins in advanced drug delivery systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":12444,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology","volume":"13 ","pages":"1589865"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12081450/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1589865","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/1/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOTECHNOLOGY & APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: The study aimed to develop a supramolecular hydrogel of asiaticoside (AS) via self-assembly and evaluate its potential for enhanced transdermal delivery.
Materials and methods: AS was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dispersed into a glycerol-water mixture (3:7 v/v) via ultrasonication to induce gelation. The critical gelation concentration (CGC) was determined through macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. Morphological analysis was performed using various microscopy techniques. Physicochemical properties were assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV-VIS spectroscopy. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with general AMBER force field (GAFF) parameters were used to analyze assembly dynamics. Rheological behavior and transdermal performance were tested using a rheometer and Franz diffusion cells, respectively.
Results: The hydrogel formed at a CGC of 0.5% w/v, exhibiting pH-responsive gelation and a nanofibrous architecture. MD simulations revealed hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking as the dominant drivers of assembly, supported by FTIR peak shifts. The hydrogel demonstrated shear-thinning behavior (G' > G″) and thermal stability below 70°C. Compared to the AS suspension, the hydrogel enhanced transdermal flux by 1.73-fold and skin retention by 2.04-fold, attributed to supersaturated drug molecules and sustained release from the nanofiber network.
Conclusion: This work pioneers the use of AS as a natural supramolecular gelator, addressing its bioavailability challenges through nanostructured self-assembly. The hydrogel's dual functionality (pH-responsive gelation and enhanced permeation) offers a sustainable platform for the transdermal delivery of hydrophobic phytochemicals, bridging phytochemistry and nanobiotechnology. This strategy expands the application of plant-derived saponins in advanced drug delivery systems.
期刊介绍：
The translation of new discoveries in medicine to clinical routine has never been easy. During the second half of the last century, thanks to the progress in chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology, we have seen the development and the application of a large number of drugs and devices aimed at the treatment of symptoms, blocking unwanted pathways and, in the case of infectious diseases, fighting the micro-organisms responsible. However, we are facing, today, a dramatic change in the therapeutic approach to pathologies and diseases. Indeed, the challenge of the present and the next decade is to fully restore the physiological status of the diseased organism and to completely regenerate tissue and organs when they are so seriously affected that treatments cannot be limited to the repression of symptoms or to the repair of damage. This is being made possible thanks to the major developments made in basic cell and molecular biology, including stem cell science, growth factor delivery, gene isolation and transfection, the advances in bioengineering and nanotechnology, including development of new biomaterials, biofabrication technologies and use of bioreactors, and the big improvements in diagnostic tools and imaging of cells, tissues and organs.
In today`s world, an enhancement of communication between multidisciplinary experts, together with the promotion of joint projects and close collaborations among scientists, engineers, industry people, regulatory agencies and physicians are absolute requirements for the success of any attempt to develop and clinically apply a new biological therapy or an innovative device involving the collective use of biomaterials, cells and/or bioactive molecules. “Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology” aspires to be a forum for all people involved in the process by bridging the gap too often existing between a discovery in the basic sciences and its clinical application.
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