L-Diphenylalanine Microtubes As a Potential Drug-Delivery System: Characterization, Release Kinetics, and Cytotoxicity

Microtubes obtained from the self-assembly of L-diphenylalanine (FF-MTs) were evaluated as potential vehicles for drug delivery. The biological marker Rhodamine B (RhB) was chosen as a model drug and conjugated to the peptide arrays during self-organization in the liquid phase. Microscopy and X-ray studies were performed to provide morphological and structural information. The data revealed that the cargo was distributed either in small aggregates at the hydrophobic surface of the FF-MTs or homogeneously embedded in the structure, presumably anchored at polar sites in the matrix. Raman spectroscopy revealed notable shifts of the characteristic RhB resonance peaks, demonstrating the successful conjugation of the fluorophore and peptide assemblies. In vitro assays were conducted in erythrocytes and fibroblast cells. Interestingly, FF-MTs were found to modulate the release of the load. The release of RhB from the FF-MTs followed first-order kinetics with a steady-state profile, demonstrating the potential of these carriers to deliver drugs at constant rates in the body. Cytotoxicity investigations revealed high cell viability up to concentrations of 5 mg mL(-1), demonstrating the low toxicity of the FF-MTs.