Peptide-based small molecule gelators have been studied widely for delivery of drugs and proteins. Here we present our efforts to deliver a biologically relevant signaling gas, H2S, from physically crosslinked, peptide-based hydrogels. The gels are comprised of short peptides derivatized with S-aroylthiooximes—a functional group that releases H2S in response to thiols. The functionalized peptides self-assemble in aqueous solution to form 1D nanostructures, and entanglement of these nanostructures leads to gelation in aqueous solution at &lt;1 wt. %. Functionalization of the hydrophobic S-aroylthiooxime group allows for tuning of both the H2S release rate and the observed assembly state. We present here the synthesis, mechanical properties, H2S generation capacity, and biological evaluation of these unique gels.

Supramolecular gels for delivery of hydrogen sulfide

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.