Waterless MOF−DES Eutectogels with Adaptive Viscoelasticity for Dual Hydrophilic−Hydrophobic Drug Delivery

Abstract Waterless eutectogels with adaptable viscoelasticity and sustained drug release properties open new avenues for advanced biomedical and transdermal drug delivery applications. In order to achieve this, herein, we formulated a eutectogel integrated through precisely blending polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with a biocompatible metal−organic framework (MOF), MIL-100(Fe), dispersed in a biocompatible proline−ethylene glycol deep eutectic solvent (DES), enabling exceptional stability and multifunctional performance. Importantly, throughout the eutectogel formation process, the structural integrity of both MIL-100(Fe) and DES remained uncompromised, preserving their intrinsic properties. This eutectogel showcases an array of remarkable attributes, including antifreeze properties, exhibits self-healing capabilities, is injectable and adhesive in nature, and offers substantial drug loading capacity for hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic drugs, proving its versatility. Moreover, this eutectogel displays sustained drug release behavior, alongside antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Hemocompatibility assessments have confirmed minimal hemolysis (<2%), endorsing its suitability for biomedical applications. Furthermore, even at higher concentrations (up to 50 mg/mL), the eutectogel demonstrates biocompatibility. By harnessing strong colloidal forces and adopting an environmentally safe composition, our investigated eutectogel not only underscores its effectiveness for pharmaceutical purposes but also underscores its potential for high-performance applications prioritizing ecological sustainability.