Disulfide bond reduction-triggered molecular hydrogels of folic acid–Taxol conjugates

• DOI: 10.1039/c3ob40969d
• Publication Date: 2013-08-06T09:00:57Z
• Authors: Chengbiao Yang; Dongxia Li; Qianqi FengZhao; Lianyong Wang; Ling Wang; Zhimou Yang
• Keywords: Conjugate

Molecular hydrogels of therapeutic agents are a novel kind self-delivery system that can sustain release drugs or pro-drugs. We have previously developed molecular hydrogelator folic acid (FA)–Taxol conjugate triggered by phosphatase. In this paper, we report FA–Taxol conjugates with improved synthetic strategy. The formed the reduction disulfide bond glutathione (GSH). These could Taxol through ester hydrolysis. Compared intravenous (i.v.) injection clinically used Taxol® four times dosage, our hydrogel inhibit tumor growth more efficiently single dose intra-tumor (i.t.) administration. observations suggested big potential gelation for cancer therapy.