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Functional Gels Applied in Drug Delivery
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Functional Gels Applied in Drug Delivery

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 10368

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Fabiano Yokaichiya

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Guest Editor
Department of Physics, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba 81531-980, Brazil
Interests: gels; X-ray scattering; neutron scattering; drug delivery; nanotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Margareth K.K.D. Franco

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Guest Editor
Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN/CNEN, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2242, São Paulo, Brazil
Interests: gels; X-ray scattering; neutron scattering; drug delivery; nanotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of MDPI, we would like to invite you to submit a manuscript regarding the topic of this Special Issue, Functional Gels Applied in Drug Delivery Systems. Functional gel materials (i.e., natural and synthetic polymers) have risen as one of the best new drug delivery systems, and support the controlled release of drugs. Furthermore, functional gels materials are currently applied to agriculture, medicine and health, always taking environmental safety into account.

The development of the best-performing functional gels applied in drug delivery systems requires multidisciplinary knowledge dealing with raw material chemistry, physical and chemical characterization and biosafety.

Therefore, this Special Issue intends to explore all functional drug delivery systems research concerning gels, and calls for manuscripts that can enhance the related fields regarding:

  • Innovative polymers and biopolymers, as gels, useful in different functional drug delivery systems, from solutions to emulsions.
  • New formulations, focusing on the interaction of drugs and carriers and the rheological, structural, and dynamic behavior depending on the quantity of compounds and conditions.
  • Research that enhances sustainability, human health and safety by studying new eco-friendly pathways in gel formulation.

It is our pleasure to invite contributions to this Special Issue. Original articles, reviews, communications, and perspectives are all welcome.

Prof. Dr. Fabiano Yokaichiya
Dr. Margareth K.K.D. Franco
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 2100 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

  • gels
  • drug delivery
  • biopolymers
  • nanoparticles

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 19674 KiB  
Article
Nanogel Dressing with Targeted Glucose Reduction and pH/Hyaluronidase Dual-Responsive Release for Synergetic Therapy of Diabetic Bacterial Wounds
by Wanhe Luo, Yongtao Jiang, Jinhuan Liu, Samah Attia Algharib, Ali Sobhy Dawood and Shuyu Xie
Gels 2025, 11(6), 380; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11060380 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 196
Abstract
The hyperglycemic microenvironment in diabetic wounds predisposes them to bacterial infections, sustains chronic inflammation, and hinders therapeutic efficacy. In this study, antibiotic-loaded fast-crosslinked hybrid nanogel wound dressings (florfenicol nanogels) based on Schiff’s base bond were obtained through N, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (N, O-CMCS) and [...] Read more.
The hyperglycemic microenvironment in diabetic wounds predisposes them to bacterial infections, sustains chronic inflammation, and hinders therapeutic efficacy. In this study, antibiotic-loaded fast-crosslinked hybrid nanogel wound dressings (florfenicol nanogels) based on Schiff’s base bond were obtained through N, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (N, O-CMCS) and oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA). The successfully prepared florfenicol N, O-CMCS/OHA nanogels exhibited obvious pH- and HAase-responsiveness release, which allowed it to quickly release florfenicol at infected wounds to exert on-demand antibacterial activity, as well as accelerate diabetic bacterial-infected wound healing. The nanogel dressings showed excellent antibacterial activity by destroying the bacterial cell membrane and wall. More specifically, the glucose oxidase in the dressings can catalyze the breakdown of high-concentration glucose, generating abundant ROS that directly cause cellular damage. According to the results of wound healing, the dressings showed satisfactory anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects for the full-thickness mouse skin defect wounds. The nanogel dressings are anticipated to be excellent wound dressings to synergistically overcome the theraputic difficulty of diabetic bacterial wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels Applied in Drug Delivery)
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14 pages, 3185 KiB  
Article
Natural Epithelial Barrier Integrity Enhancers—Citrus medica and Origanum dayi Extracts
by Sarah Coopersmith, Valeria Rahamim, Eliyahu Drori, Rachel Miloslavsky, Rima Kozlov, Jonathan Gorelick and Aharon Azagury
Gels 2024, 10(12), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10120836 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 944
Abstract
Buccal drug delivery offers a promising alternative for avoiding gastrointestinal degradation and first-pass metabolism. However, enhancing the buccal epithelial barrier’s permeability remains challenging. This study explores the effects of ethanolic extracts from Citrus medica var. Balady (CM), Citrus medica var. Calabria (CMC), and [...] Read more.
Buccal drug delivery offers a promising alternative for avoiding gastrointestinal degradation and first-pass metabolism. However, enhancing the buccal epithelial barrier’s permeability remains challenging. This study explores the effects of ethanolic extracts from Citrus medica var. Balady (CM), Citrus medica var. Calabria (CMC), and Origanum dayi (ORD) on buccal epithelium permeability in vitro using a TR146 cell-based model. The cell viability assay revealed that the extracts were non-toxic at the concentration range tested (<0.5% w/v). Surprisingly, none of the tested extracts significantly enhanced the buccal permeability of 40 kDa Fluorescein Isothiocyanate Dextran (FD40). However, the CMC and ORD extracts significantly reduced the epithelial permeability of FD40, mirroring the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA), a known barrier integrity enhancer. The total phenolic content (TPC) analysis suggested a potential link between the phenolic concentration and epithelial barrier reinforcement. The rapid colorimetric response method was applied to assess the interaction of these extracts with biological membranes. The results indicated that HA interacts with cellular membranes via lipid bilayer penetration, whereas the extracts likely influence the barrier integrity through alternative mechanisms, such as ligand–receptor interactions or extracellular matrix modulation. These findings highlight the potential of CMC and ORD extracts as natural agents to enhance buccal epithelial integrity. In conclusion, incorporating these extracts into formulations, such as hydrogels, could offer a cost-effective and biocompatible alternative to HA for improving buccal cavity health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels Applied in Drug Delivery)
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17 pages, 7755 KiB  
Article
Potential Unlocking of Biological Activity of Caffeic Acid by Incorporation into Hydrophilic Gels
by Monika Jokubaite and Kristina Ramanauskiene
Gels 2024, 10(12), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10120794 - 4 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1326
Abstract
Caffeic acid, a phenolic compound with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, shows promise in the dermatological field. The research aimed to incorporate caffeic acid into hydrophilic gels based on poloxamer 407, carbomer 980, and their mixture in order to enhance its biological activity. Different [...] Read more.
Caffeic acid, a phenolic compound with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, shows promise in the dermatological field. The research aimed to incorporate caffeic acid into hydrophilic gels based on poloxamer 407, carbomer 980, and their mixture in order to enhance its biological activity. Different gel formulations were prepared using different concentrations of these polymers to optimize caffeic acid release characteristics. The results showed that increasing the concentration of polymeric materials increased the viscosity and slowed down the release of caffeic acid. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the gels were assessed. The results confirmed the potential of hydrophilic gels as delivery systems for caffeic acid, with formulations showing antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and antifungal activity against Candida albicans fungus. This study provides a perception of the development of new semi-solid caffeic acid-based formulations for therapeutic and cosmetic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels Applied in Drug Delivery)
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21 pages, 4835 KiB  
Article
Development of Glycerosomal pH Triggered In Situ Gelling System to Ameliorate the Nasal Delivery of Sulpiride for Pediatric Psychosis
by Mona M. Shahien, Alia Alshammari, Somaia Ibrahim, Enas Haridy Ahmed, Hanan Abdelmawgoud Atia, Hemat A. Elariny and Marwa H. Abdallah
Gels 2024, 10(9), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10090608 - 23 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1338
Abstract
Sulpiride (Sul) is a medication that blocks dopamine D2 receptors. It is used to treat gastrointestinal disturbances and has antipsychotic effects depending on the dose given. Sulpiride is subject to P-glycoprotein efflux, resulting in limited bioavailability and erratic absorption. Hence, the aim [...] Read more.
Sulpiride (Sul) is a medication that blocks dopamine D2 receptors. It is used to treat gastrointestinal disturbances and has antipsychotic effects depending on the dose given. Sulpiride is subject to P-glycoprotein efflux, resulting in limited bioavailability and erratic absorption. Hence, the aim of this study was to generate a glycerosomal in situ gel of sulpiride for intranasal administration, specifically targeting children with schizophrenia who may have difficulty swallowing traditional solid medications, for enhancing its bioavailability. This study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of intranasal administration of glycerin-encapsulated lipid-nanovesicles (glycerosomes) mixed with in situ gels for prolonged release of anti-psychotic medication. A Box–Behnken design was utilized to create sulpiride-loaded glycerosomes (Sul-GMs), with the lipid amount (A), glycerin concentration (B), and sonication time (C) acting as independent variables. Their impact on the entrapment efficiency, EE% (Y1), and in vitro drug release (Y2) were evaluated. The sulpiride EE% showed an increase when the glycerin concentration was raised to 25% v/v. Nevertheless, when the glycerin concentration was raised to 40% v/v, there was a notable decrease in the EE%. The optimized glycerosome was added to pH triggered carbopol 974P in situ gel formulations including HPMC K15M with different concentrations. The in situ gel formulation (G3) comprising 0.6% carbopol 974P and 0.6% hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose-K15M (HPMC K15M) demonstrated suitable pH, viscosity, desired gel strength, spreadability, and mucoadhesive strength. Consequently, it was selected for in vitro study, ex vivo permeation investigation, and in vivo evaluations. The glycerosomal in situ gel exhibited favorable ex vivo permeability of SU when applied to the nasal mucosa. The pharmacokinetic investigation revealed that the optimized Sul-loaded glycerosomal in situ gel exhibited a significant fourfold and twofold enhancement in systemic bioavailability compared to both the control gel and the commercially available formulation. Finally, the intranasal administration of Sul-loaded glycerosomal in situ gel is a promising alternative to oral treatment for pediatric patients with psychosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels Applied in Drug Delivery)
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15 pages, 2294 KiB  
Article
Biohybrids for Combined Therapies of Skin Wounds: Agglomerates of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Gelatin Hydrogel Beads Delivering Phages and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor
by Farzaneh Moghtader, Yasuhiko Tabata and Erdal Karaöz
Gels 2024, 10(8), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10080493 - 25 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1548
Abstract
There is great interest in developing effective therapies for the treatment of skin wounds accompanied by deep tissue losses and severe infections. We have attempted to prepare biohybrids formed of agglomerates of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with gelatin hydrogel beads (GEL beads) delivering [...] Read more.
There is great interest in developing effective therapies for the treatment of skin wounds accompanied by deep tissue losses and severe infections. We have attempted to prepare biohybrids formed of agglomerates of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with gelatin hydrogel beads (GEL beads) delivering bacteriophages (phages) as antibacterial agents and/or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for faster and better healing, providing combined therapies for these types of skin wounds. The gelatin beads were produced through a two-step process using basic and/or acidic gelatins with different isoelectric points. Escherichia coli (E. coli) and its specific T4 phages were propagated. Phages and/or bFGF were loaded within the GELs and their release rates and modes were obtained. The phage release from the basic GEL beads was quite fast; in contrast, the bFGF release from the acidic GEL beads was sustained, as anticipated. MSCs were isolated from mouse adipose tissues and 2D-cultured. Agglomerates of these MSCs with GEL beads were formed and maturated in 3D cultures, and their time-dependent changes were followed. In these 3D culture experiments, it was observed that the agglomerates with GEL beads were very healthy and the MSCs formed tissue-like structures in 7 days, while the MSC agglomerates were not healthy and shrunk considerably as a result of cell death. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels Applied in Drug Delivery)
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15 pages, 4959 KiB  
Article
Microencapsulation of a Pickering Oil/Water Emulsion Loaded with Vitamin D3
by Alessandro Candiani, Giada Diana, Manuel Martoccia, Fabiano Travaglia, Lorella Giovannelli, Jean Daniel Coïsson and Lorena Segale
Gels 2023, 9(3), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9030255 - 22 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2954
Abstract
The ionotropic gelation technique was chosen to produce vitamin D3-loaded microparticles starting from oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsion stabilized by flaxseed flour: the hydrophobic phase was a solution of vitamin D3 in a blend of vegetable oils (ω6:ω3, 4:1) composed of extra virgin olive [...] Read more.
The ionotropic gelation technique was chosen to produce vitamin D3-loaded microparticles starting from oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsion stabilized by flaxseed flour: the hydrophobic phase was a solution of vitamin D3 in a blend of vegetable oils (ω6:ω3, 4:1) composed of extra virgin olive oil (90%) and hemp oil (10%); the hydrophilic phase was a sodium alginate aqueous solution. The most adequate emulsion was selected carrying out a preliminary study on five placebo formulations which differed in the qualitative and quantitative polymeric composition (concentration and type of alginate selected). Vitamin D3-loaded microparticles in the dried state had a particle size of about 1 mm, 6% of residual water content and excellent flowability thanks to their rounded shape and smooth surface. The polymeric structure of microparticles demonstrated to preserve the vegetable oil blend from oxidation and the integrity of vitamin D3, confirming this product as an innovative ingredient for pharmaceutical and food/nutraceutical purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels Applied in Drug Delivery)
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Review

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36 pages, 1522 KiB  
Review
Insights into Liposomal and Gel-Based Formulations for Dermatological Treatments
by Giovanni Strazzabosco, Alessia Liboni, Giulia Pezzi, Andrea Alogna and Daria Bortolotti
Gels 2025, 11(4), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11040245 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1354
Abstract
Dermatological diseases pose a significant challenge due to their chronic nature, complex pathophysiology, and the need for effective, patient-friendly treatments. Recent advancements in liposomal and gel-based formulations have played a crucial role in improving drug delivery, therapeutic efficacy, and patient compliance. Liposomal formulations [...] Read more.
Dermatological diseases pose a significant challenge due to their chronic nature, complex pathophysiology, and the need for effective, patient-friendly treatments. Recent advancements in liposomal and gel-based formulations have played a crucial role in improving drug delivery, therapeutic efficacy, and patient compliance. Liposomal formulations have garnered considerable attention in dermatology due to their ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds, enabling controlled drug release and enhanced skin penetration. However, challenges such as formulation complexity, stability issues, and regulatory constraints remain. Similarly, gel-based formulations are widely used due to their ease of application, biocompatibility, and ability to retain active ingredients. However, they also face limitations, including restricted penetration depth, susceptibility to microbial contamination, and challenges in achieving sustained drug release. The integration of liposomal and gel-based technologies offers a promising strategy to overcome current challenges and optimize dermatological drug delivery. This review explores both well-established therapies and recent innovations, offering a comprehensive overview of their applications in the treatment of prevalent dermatological conditions. Ultimately, continued research is essential to refine these formulations, expanding their clinical utility and enhancing therapeutic effectiveness in dermatology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels Applied in Drug Delivery)
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