Fabrication of ellagic acid incorporated self-assembled peptide microtubes and their applications

Ellagic acid (EA), a plant polyphenol known for its wide-range of health benefits was encapsulated within self-assembled threonine based peptide microtubes. The microtubes were assembled using the synthesized precursor bolaamphiphile bis(N-alpha-amido threonine)-1,5-pentane dicarboxylate. The self-assembly of the microstructures was probed at varying pH. In general, tubular formations were observed at a pH range of 4-6. The formed microtubes were then utilized for fabrication with EA. We probed the ability of the microtubes as drug release vehicles for EA as well as for antibacterial applications. It was found that the release of EA was both pH and concentration dependent. The biocompatibility as well as cytotoxicity of the EA-fabricated microtubes was examined in the presence of mammalian normal rat kidney (NRK) cells. Finally the antibacterial effects of the EA incorporated peptide microtubes was examined against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.