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Gels
Special Issues
Latest Advances and Prospects of Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
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Latest Advances and Prospects of Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 4384

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Federica Curcio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Interests: biomaterials; multifunctional carriers; drug delivery systems (DDS); micro- and nanoparticles; hydrogel; membranes
Dr. Roberta Cassano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Interests: drug delivery systems (DDS); biomaterials; multifunctional carriers; micro-and nano-particles; pro-drugs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sonia Trombino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Interests: drug delivery systems (DDS); biomaterials; multifunctional carriers; micro- and nano-particles; pro-drugs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, hydrogels have received increasing attention as materials for biomedical applications because they are biocompatible and non-toxic. They consist of three-dimensional hydrophilic polymeric networks that can absorb large amounts of water or biological fluids due to the presence of hydrophilic groups, and are considered excellent candidates for biosensors, drug delivery vectors, wound healing, and vectors or cell matrices in tissue engineering. Depending on their characteristics, they can be natural or synthetic and classified as neutral or ionic hydrogels, while the network can consist of linear homopolymers, linear copolymers and block or graft copolymers. They can also be reactive to various stimuli, including heating, pH, light, and chemicals. Hydrogels can provide spatial and temporal control over the release of various therapeutic agents, including small molecules and macromolecular drugs. They possess modulable physical properties and the ability to protect labile drugs from degradation by controlling their release; furthermore, due to their high biodegradability, low immunogenicity, ability to be transformed into solids, semi-solids, and liquids, and due to their ease of use, they are widely used in biomedicine. This Special Issue covers all aspects concerning recent studies on the design, preparation, and performance evaluation of hydrogels for biomedical applications.

Dr. Federica Curcio
Prof. Dr. Roberta Cassano
Prof. Dr. Sonia Trombino
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hydrogels
  • biomedical application
  • drug delivery
  • scaffold
  • tissue engineering
  • biosensor
  • wound healing
  • stimuli responsive
  • method realization

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 3875 KiB  
Article
Insight into CMC-PVA-fHNTs Nanocomposite Hydrogel as an Advance Carrier for Cefadroxil Monohydrate: Fabrication and Characterization/Angiogenic Potential Analysis
by Saba Zia, Shahzad Maqsood Khan, Muhammad Taqi Zahid Butt and Nafisa Gull
Gels 2024, 10(4), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10040235 - 29 Mar 2024
Viewed by 602
Abstract
Controlled drug delivery is a key strategy aimed at reducing both the frequency of therapeutic dosages and potential systemic side effects, particularly in the case of high drug concentrations. The nanocomposite hydrogel systems presented in this study were synthesized by combining carboxymethyl cellulose, [...] Read more.
Controlled drug delivery is a key strategy aimed at reducing both the frequency of therapeutic dosages and potential systemic side effects, particularly in the case of high drug concentrations. The nanocomposite hydrogel systems presented in this study were synthesized by combining carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane-functionalized halloysite nanotubes (fHNTs). This hydrogel system is a potential candidate for the controlled release of cefadroxil monohydrate. These hydrogels are analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and rheological measurements. Additionally, swelling properties, porosity, hydrophilicity, drug release, and in vitro and in vivo analyses were also evaluated. The observed trends in swelling and drug release demonstrated that the outcomes are dependent on the presence of fHNTs in the hydrogel matrix. Notably, fHNTs-loaded hydrogels displayed sustained drug release patterns. This innovative approach eliminates the need for traditional encapsulation and presents promising and translatable strategies for achieving more effective drug release. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances and Prospects of Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)
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14 pages, 3664 KiB  
Article
Pluronic 123 Liquid Lyotropic Crystals for Transdermal Delivery of Caffeic Acid—Insights from Structural Studies and Drug Release
by Martina Romeo, Elisabetta Mazzotta, Francesca Lovati, Michele Porto, Cesare Oliviero Rossi and Rita Muzzalupo
Gels 2024, 10(3), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10030181 - 06 Mar 2024
Viewed by 840
Abstract
Background: This study aims to evaluate the percutaneous permeation profiles of caffeic acid (CA) from the cubic and hexagonal liquid crystalline phases of Pluronic P123/water mixtures. Method: The resulting drug-loaded mesophases were subjected to characterisation through deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and polarised [...] Read more.
Background: This study aims to evaluate the percutaneous permeation profiles of caffeic acid (CA) from the cubic and hexagonal liquid crystalline phases of Pluronic P123/water mixtures. Method: The resulting drug-loaded mesophases were subjected to characterisation through deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and polarised optical microscopy observations. These analyses aimed to evaluate the structural changes that occurred in the mesophases loading with CA. Additionally, steady and dynamic rheology studies were conducted to further explore their mechanical properties and correlate them to the supramolecular structure. Finally, CA release experiments were carried out at two different temperatures to examine the behaviour of the structured systems in a physiological or hyperthermic state. Results: As the concentration of the polymer increases, an increase in the viscosity of the gel is noted; however, the addition of caffeic acid increases microstructure fluidity. It is observed that the temperature effect conforms to expectations. The increase in temperature causes a decrease in viscosity and, consequently, an increase in the rate of permeation of caffeic acid. Conclusions: The CA permeation profile from the prepared formulations is mostly dependent on the structural organisation and temperature. Cubic mesophase LLC 30/CA showed greater skin permeation with good accumulation in the skin at both tested temperatures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances and Prospects of Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)
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21 pages, 3930 KiB  
Article
Cross-Linked Hyaluronan Derivatives in the Delivery of Phycocyanin
by Francesca Terracina, Mario Saletti, Marco Paolino, Jacopo Venditti, Germano Giuliani, Claudia Bonechi, Mariano Licciardi and Andrea Cappelli
Gels 2024, 10(2), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10020091 - 25 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1100
Abstract
An easy and viable crosslinking technology, based on the “click-chemistry” reaction copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (click-crosslinking), was applied to graft copolymers of medium molecular weight (i.e., 270 kDa) hyaluronic acid (HA) grafted with ferulic acid (FA) residues bearing clickable [...] Read more.
An easy and viable crosslinking technology, based on the “click-chemistry” reaction copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (click-crosslinking), was applied to graft copolymers of medium molecular weight (i.e., 270 kDa) hyaluronic acid (HA) grafted with ferulic acid (FA) residues bearing clickable propargyl groups, as well as caffeic acid derivatives bearing azido-terminated oligo(ethylene glycol) side chains. The obtained crosslinked materials were characterized from the point of view of their structure and aggregation liability to form hydrogels in a water environment. The most promising materials showed interesting loading capability regarding the antioxidant agent phycocyanin (PC). Two novel materials complexes (namely HA(270)-FA-TEGEC-CL-20/PC and HA(270)-FA-HEGEC-CL-20/PC) were obtained with a drug-to-material ratio of 1:2 (w/w). Zeta potential measurements of the new complexes (−1.23 mV for HA(270)-FA-TEGEC-CL-20/PC and −1.73 mV for HA(270)-FA-HEGEC-CL-20/PC) showed alterations compared to the zeta potential values of the materials on their own, suggesting the achievement of drug–material interactions. According to the in vitro dissolution studies carried out in different conditions, novel drug delivery systems (DDSs) were obtained with a variety of characteristics depending on the desired route of administration and, consequently, on the pH of the surrounding environment, thanks to the complexation of phycocyanin with these two new crosslinked materials. Both complexes showed excellent potential for providing a controlled/prolonged release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). They also increased the amount of drug that reach the target location, enabling pH-dependent release. Importantly, as demonstrated by the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the complexation process, involving freezing and freeze-drying, showed no adverse effects on the antioxidant activity of phycocyanin. This activity was preserved in the two novel materials and followed a concentration-dependent pattern similar to pure PC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances and Prospects of Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)
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15 pages, 6650 KiB  
Article
In Situ Hydrogel Formulation for Advanced Wound Dressing: Influence of Co-Solvents and Functional Excipient on Tailored Alginate–Pectin–Chitosan Blend Gelation Kinetics, Adhesiveness, and Performance
by Chiara Amante, Giovanni Falcone, Rita P. Aquino, Paola Russo, Luigi Nicolais and Pasquale Del Gaudio
Gels 2024, 10(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10010003 - 20 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1381
Abstract
Chronic skin wounds affect more than 40 million patients worldwide, representing a huge problem for healthcare systems. This study elucidates the optimization of an in situ gelling polymer blend powder for biomedical applications through the use of co-solvents and functional excipients, underlining the [...] Read more.
Chronic skin wounds affect more than 40 million patients worldwide, representing a huge problem for healthcare systems. This study elucidates the optimization of an in situ gelling polymer blend powder for biomedical applications through the use of co-solvents and functional excipients, underlining the possibility of tailoring microparticulate powder properties to generate, in situ, hydrogels with advanced properties that are able to improve wound management and patient well-being. The blend was composed of alginate, pectin, and chitosan (APC). Various co-solvents (ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone), and salt excipients (sodium bicarbonate and ammonium carbonate) were used to modulate the gelation kinetics, rheology, adhesiveness, and water vapor transmission rate of the gels. The use of co-solvents significantly influenced particle size (mean diameter ranging from 2.91 to 5.05 µm), depending on the solvent removal rate. Hydrogels obtained using ethanol were able to absorb over 15 times their weight in simulated wound fluid within just 5 min, whereas when sodium bicarbonate was used, complete gelation was achieved in less than 30 s. Such improvement was related to the internal microporous network typical of the particle matrix obtained with the use of co-solvents, whereas sodium bicarbonate was able to promote the formation of allowed particles. Specific formulations demonstrated an optimal water vapor transmission rate, enhanced viscoelastic properties, gel stiffness, and adhesiveness (7.7 to 9.9 kPa), facilitating an atraumatic removal post-use with minimized risk of unintended removal. Microscopic analysis unveiled that porous inner structures were influencing fluid uptake, gel formation, and transpiration. In summary, this study provided valuable insights for optimizing tailored APC hydrogels as advanced wound dressings for chronic wounds, including vascular ulcers, pressure ulcers, and partial and full-thickness wounds, characterized by a high production of exudate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances and Prospects of Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)
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