Caffeine Catalyst Leads to Gel-Based Medications

Apr-19-18 A biocompatible polymer gel made using caffeine could lead to new chewable gels for drug delivery.

Typical polymer gels are synthesized using metal catalysts, and are dangerous to ingest. In contrast, the caffeine catalyst gel, from a team at MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is safe and non-toxic. Caffeine is an effective catalyst because of its ability to gently remove protons from molecules, functioning as a weak base able to form a polymer network. The result is a gel that can be used as a drug delivery material, safe to swallow while also containing only as much caffeine as a cup of tea.

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[MEDGADGET.COM]
[NEWS.MIT.EDU]

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