A self-indicating cellulose-based gel with tunable performance for bioactive agent delivery

Development of carriers with tunable properties can enhance the controllability of the process of bioactive agent delivery. This study reports a self-indicating gel fabricated from a cellulose-based derivative, designated as CT, for controlled release of the loaded bioactive agent. By increasing the concentration of CT, the swelling and erosion rates of the gel are significantly reduced, with the encapsulation efficiency and release sustainability of the gel being substantially enhanced. Such changes in delivery performance can be manifested as changes in the intensity of intrinsic luminescence of the gel, enabling the gel to display self-indicating capacity. By using paclitaxel as a model agent, the gel is demonstrated in vivo to effectively reduce the systemic toxicity of the administered agent. Along with its excitation wavelength-dependent emission tunability which allows the wavelength of the excitation source to be changed for convenience and need, our gel shows high potential to be exploited as a self-indicating carrier for delivery of bioactive agents.