What molecular mechanisms enable rhein hydrogels to cross cellular membranes despite their macromolecular structure?

neuroinflammation open
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Description

The abstract states that rhein hydrogels ‘easily enter cells’ but doesn’t explain how these three-dimensional nanofiber networks traverse cellular membranes. This contradicts typical expectations for hydrogel permeability and is crucial for understanding drug delivery mechanisms.

Gap type: unexplained_observation Source paper: Directed self-assembly of herbal small molecules into sustained release hydrogels for treating neural inflammation. (2019, Nature communications, PMID:30962431)

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