Nanoclay-Polyamine Composite Hydrogel for Topical Delivery of Nitric Oxide Gas via Innate Gelation Characteristics of Laponite

Because nitric oxide (NO) gas is an endogenously produced signaling molecule related to numerous physiological functions, manystudies have been conducted to develop NO delivery systems for potential biomedical applications. However, NO is a reactive radical gas molecule that has a very short life-time and readily transforms into nitrogen oxide species via reaction with oxygen species. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an NO delivery carrier that allows local release of the NO gas at the site of application. In this study, Laponite (LP) nanoclay was used to fabricate an NO delivery carrier through the formation of Laponite-polyamine (LP-PAn) composites. The Laponite clay and pentaethylenehexamine (PEHA) formed a macromolecular structure by electrostatic interaction and the nitric oxide donor, N-diazeniumdiolate (NONOates), was synthesized into the LP-PAn composite. We investigated the conformation of the LP-PAn composite structure and the NO donor formation by xi potential, X-ray diffraction, and UV-vis and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies and also by analyzing the NO release profile. Additionally, we confirmed the applicability in biomedical applications via a cell viability and in vitro endothelial cell tube formation assay.