A simple injectable peptide-based hydrogel of tanshinone ⅡA for antioxidant and anticoagulation

In this study, the hydrophobic drug Tanshinone ⅡA (Tan ⅡA) as a therapeutic drug was loaded into naphthalene acetic acid-phenylalanine-phenylalanine-glycine hydrogel (Nap-FFG) to construct the supramolecular hydrogels. Nap-FFG hydrogel fibers crosslinked into a network-like structure by self-assembly of polypeptides and then achieved drug loading. The rheological assay of Tan ⅡA-loaded Nap-FFG hydrogel (Tan@Nap-FFG) had excellent shear resistance, allowing it to maintain gel state. Anticoagulant and anti-oxidant assay showed Tan@Nap-FFG hydrogels synergistically resisted hydrogen peroxide damage and inhibited platelet aggregation caused by ADP, which was suitable for the therapy of cardiovascular diseases. In-vitro release assays and in-vivo pharmacokinetic had demonstrated that hydrogels released drugs slowly, reduced drug toxicity , and improved pharmacokinetic behavior. In summary, Tan@Nap-FFG hydrogels was expected to be developed as a novel injection for cardiovascular therapy.