ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.
Sec. Nanobiotechnology
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2025.1589865
This article is part of the Research TopicSynergistic Advances in Gene Technology, Nanobiotechnology, and Photonic Innovations for Next-Generation Diagnostics and TherapeuticsView all articles
Supramolecular nanofibers of natural asiaticoside for self-supporting gelation and enhanced transdermal delivery
Provisionally accepted
Xixi Hu1
Shuang Tian1Jiao Wang1Weixi Luo1Jiangli Yao1Rui Zhu1Yiyuan Dai1Yuhua Ma2Hongyun Li1
Chen Liu3
Wenping Wang1*- 1Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
- 2Qinghai Nationalities University, Xining, Qinghai Province, China
- 3General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Region, China
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Objectives：The study aimed to develop a supramolecular hydrogel of asiaticoside (AS) via self-assembly and to evaluate its potential for enhanced transdermal delivery.was dissolved in DMSO and dispersed into glycerol-water (3:7 v/v) via ultrasonication to induce gelation. Critical gelation concentration (CGC) was determined through macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. Morphological analysis employed various microscopy equipments. Physicochemical properties were assessed using DSC, PXRD, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with GAFF parameters analyzed 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 dominant assembly drivers, supported by FTIR peak shifts. The hydrogel demonstrated shear-thinning behavior (G' > G'') and thermal stability below 70°C. Compared to 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 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 transdermal delivery of hydrophobic phytochemicals, bridging phytochemistry and nanobiotechnology. This strategy expands the application of plant-derived saponins in advanced drug delivery systems.
Keywords: Asiaticoside, supramolecular hydrogel, Self-assembled nanofibers, Transdermal drug delivery, natural product gelator, Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Received: 08 Mar 2025; Accepted: 14 Apr 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Hu, Tian, Wang, Luo, Yao, Zhu, Dai, Ma, Li, Liu and Wang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Wenping Wang, Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
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