pH-responsive supramolecular vesicles based on a pillar[5]arene–cuminaldehyde inclusion complex with enhanced antibacterial properties

A pH-responsive delivery system based on supramolecular vesicles was fabricated via a novel host–guest inclusion complex between water-soluble pillar[5]arene (WP5) and cuminaldehyde (CUM). This CUM-WP5 inclusion complex was studied using 1 H NMR, UV-vis, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The resulting inclusion complex could self-assemble into well-defined supramolecular vesicles via host–guest interactions and exhibited significant pH-responsive behavior, which was investigated using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The preservation time of CUM-WP5 and the molar ratio between host and guest molecules were both significant for the aggregated morphology of the supramolecular vesicles. Furthermore, the CUM complexes demonstrated good antibacterial activity, inhibiting the proliferation of Agrobacterium tumefaciens GV3101 and EHA105. These vesicles therefore present a promising platform for drug delivery and antibacterial applications.