The interactions between doxorubicin and amphiphilic and acidic β-sheet peptides towards drug delivery hydrogels

► Amphiphilic and acidic β-sheet peptides interact by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions with the chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin. ► The peptide hydrogels were found to release doxorubicin in a sustained and controllable manner. ► Released drug was found to maintain its cytotoxic activity in vitro on osteosarcoma cell line.