Enzyme‐Responsive Hydrogel for Delivery of the Anti‐Inflammatory Agent Zingerone

Inflammation highly fluctuates, and the level of inflammation varies in patients. Therefore, as opposed to conventional sustained release systems, delivering drugs in response to the inflammation and inflammation‐associated enzymes may have a beneficial effect in managing inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. Hence, we have developed an inflammation‐associated enzymes‐responsive hydrogel system. Zingerone is an active component in ginger and is known to exhibit a beneficial effect. We have studied the zingerone anti‐inflammatory properties using macrophages, and zingerone‐encapsulated self‐assembled hydrogels have been prepared and characterized in detail. Additionally, we have demonstrated that inflammation‐associated enzymes such as lipase could trigger the release of zingerone in a responsive manner, in vitro. In vivo efficacy of zingerone‐encapsulated hydrogel will be evaluated in preclinical models in the future. Zingerone‐releasing hydrogel: Inflammation‐associated enzymes could disassemble a hydrogel to release zingerone, a potent anti‐inflammatory agent, in an on‐demand manner in vitro.