Design and Synthesis of Ibuprofen-Based Self-Deliverable Hybrid Gel Systems: Stabilization of Silver Nanoparticles, Antibacterial and Self-Healing Properties

Abstract

The reported molecule gel-forming component N1,N3,N5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (TABTA) has been synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic tools and techniques. The hybrid gel systems were fabricated using TABTA with ibuprofen and G8, which act as silver nanoparticle synthesis and stabilization templates. All gels were fabricated using the minimum critical gelation (MGC) method, and the interactions among the gelator components forming hybrid gel matrices were examined by using FT-IR and PXRD spectroscopy. G8-TABTA forms metallogels with Ag+, Fe3+, Fe2+, Co2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ but not with the Ni2+ perchlorate salt. In contrast, TABTA-Ibp exclusively forms a metallogel with silver perchlorate. The synthesized gels were characterized as viscoelastic materials, based on their rheological behavior. The storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″), along with their dependence on applied mechanical strain, were assessed through amplitude sweep measurements for all gels. Further rheological investigations, such as frequency sweep and thixotropic studies, confirmed their gel-like characteristics. The TABTA-Ibp gel matrix possesses significant features as it can deliver itself, has excellent injectability, and has self-healing capabilities. Drug release was monitored by using UV-visible spectroscopy at two different pH levels. The release of the ibuprofen drug from TABTA-Ibp organogel and TABTA-Ibp-Ag metallogel matrices was studied at room temperature by layering the gels with PBS buffer solution. At varying pH levels, 3 mL of PBS buffer was added to the gel matrices and left for 72 h. The UV-vis spectra of the supernatant solutions, collected at different time intervals, were recorded to determine the amount of drug released. Additionally, the antibacterial potential of the G8-TABTA, G8-TABTA-Ag, G8-TABTA-Zn, TABTA-Ibp, and TABTA-Ibp-Ag xerogels was evaluated against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis bacteria. © 2025 American Chemical Society.