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Gels
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Hydrogel for Sustained Delivery of Therapeutic Agents (3rd Edition)
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Hydrogel for Sustained Delivery of Therapeutic Agents (3rd Edition)

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 4470

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Adina Magdalena Musuc

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Kinetics, “Ilie Murgulescu” Institute of Physical Chemistry, Romanian Academy, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: physical chemistry; physico-chemical characterization of materials; drug delivery; pharmaceuticals development; thermal analysis; kinetics; biopolymers; cyclodextrin inclusion complexes; hydrogels; biomaterials for biomedical applications; oxide materials design/synthesis and the thermoreactivity of precursor–oxide transformations; green chemistry; thermal properties; physicochemical characterization; nanomaterials for biomedicine; nanomaterials for energy applications; catalysis; biopolymer-based hydrogels enhanced with natural extracts for the biomedical and food industry, pharmaceutical form, biomass, and combustion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer hydrogels are attractive materials utilized for the controlled release of drugs and therapeutic agents due to their ability to embed biologically active agents in 3D water-swollen networks. The latest advancements in natural biomaterials, polymer chemistry, and the bioengineering domain have facilitated numerous developments in the field of hydrogels for the sustained delivery of therapeutic agents. In light of this, the current Special Issue is focused on the state of the art in the field of hydrogels, focusing on several exciting subjects, including cross-linking methods, stimuli-responsive hydrogels, multicomponent hydrogels, aerogels, and the release of therapeutic agents from 3D-printed hydrogels. Therefore, the challenges that have been overcome due to advanced development in the fields of biodegradable, biocompatible, and temperature- and pH-stimuli-responsive hydrogels and interactions between hydrogels and therapeutic agents will be also highlighted.

This Special Issue will also focus on the physical, chemical, pharmacotechnical, and biological characterization of polymer hydrogels using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), rheology and thermal analysis methods, and their applications in regenerative medicine and pharmacy. The structure–property relationships of hydrogels are necessary to establish a correlation between the design and shape of a polymer hydrogel and the different drug delivery applications. 

In this Special Issue, theoretical and experimental contributions in the forms of literature reviews, full-length original research articles, and communications are welcome.

We welcome and look forward to your submissions.

Dr. Adina Magdalena Musuc
Guest Editor

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

  • hydrogels
  • drug delivery
  • therapeutic agents
  • natural biopolymers
  • aerogels
  • polymer gel properties
  • biomedical applications
  • tissue engineering
  • smart hydrogels
  • stimuli-responsive gels
  • biomaterials
  • physical–chemical characterization
  • 3D printing
  • structure–property relationship
  • regenerative medicine

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 5224 KB  
Article
Cellulose-Derived Gels for Topical Delivery: HPMC as a Functional Matrix for Porphyrinic Photosensitizers
by Emma Adriana Ozon, Andreea Mihaela Burloiu, Adina Magdalena Musuc, Gina Manda, Valentina Anuta, Cristina Elena Dinu-Pîrvu, Dumitru Lupuliasa, Ionela Victoria Neagoe, Mihai Anastasescu, Radu Petre Socoteanu, Irina Atkinson, Raul-Augustin Mitran, Daniela C. Culita and Rica Boscencu
Gels 2025, 11(10), 824; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11100824 (registering DOI) - 14 Oct 2025
Abstract
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a biocompatible polymer widely used in topical formulations due to its suitable rheological behavior, film-forming capacity, and good compatibility with different active pharmaceutical ingredients. The present study demonstrates the potential of HPMC-based gels for dermal delivery of porphyrinic photosensitizers, [...] Read more.
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a biocompatible polymer widely used in topical formulations due to its suitable rheological behavior, film-forming capacity, and good compatibility with different active pharmaceutical ingredients. The present study demonstrates the potential of HPMC-based gels for dermal delivery of porphyrinic photosensitizers, aiming to enhance the efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in potential skin cancer applications. HPMC-based gel incorporating two previously synthesized porphyrinic photosensitizers, named 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (P2.1) and 5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (P2.2), was developed and carefully characterized regarding its rheological behavior, texture, and in vitro activity. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), fluorescence, and UV-Vis spectroscopy were carried out to evaluate the structural and morphological changes induced by the incorporation of the porphyrins in the HPMC gel matrix. The gels were subsequently evaluated by pharmacotechnical analysis, including pH (7.2 for both HPMC-P2.1 and HPMC-P2.2), viscosity, spreadability, texture profile analysis, and drug content uniformity. Rheological behavior confirmed the pseudoplastic behavior, suggesting a structured system with a gel-like consistency, while physical measurements demonstrated the stability and preserved functionality of the photosensitizers within the HPMC matrix. In vitro studies revealed an efficient cellular internalization of selected porphyrins into human epidermoid carcinoma cells, a critical requirement for topical PDT applications. The study highlights the capability of HPMC gels to serve as effective delivery platforms for porphyrin-based photosensitizers, supporting their application in localized skin cancer treatment through PDT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogel for Sustained Delivery of Therapeutic Agents (3rd Edition))
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Review

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35 pages, 6417 KB  
Review
Hydrogel-Based Treatment of Diabetic Wounds: From Smart Responsive to Smart Monitoring
by Xinghan He, Yongyi Wei and Ke Xu
Gels 2025, 11(8), 647; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11080647 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 2455
Abstract
Diabetic wounds are characterized by a refractory healing cycle resulting from the synergistic effects of hyperglycemic microenvironment, oxidative stress, bacterial infection, and impaired angiogenesis. Conventional hydrogel dressings, with limited functionality, struggle to address the complexities of chronic diabetic ulcers. Smart hydrogels, possessing biocompatibility, [...] Read more.
Diabetic wounds are characterized by a refractory healing cycle resulting from the synergistic effects of hyperglycemic microenvironment, oxidative stress, bacterial infection, and impaired angiogenesis. Conventional hydrogel dressings, with limited functionality, struggle to address the complexities of chronic diabetic ulcers. Smart hydrogels, possessing biocompatibility, porous architectures mimicking extracellular matrix, and environmental responsiveness, have emerged as promising biomaterials for diabetic wound management. This review systematically elucidates the specific response mechanisms of smart hydrogels to wound microenvironmental stimuli, including pH, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glucose levels, enabling on-demand release of antimicrobial agents and growth factors through dynamic bond modulation or structural transformations. Subsequently, the review highlights recent advances in novel hydrogel-based sensors fabricated via optical (photonic crystal, fluorescence) and electrochemical principles for real-time monitoring of glucose levels and wound pH. Finally, critical challenges in material development and scalable manufacturing of multifunctional hydrogel components are discussed, alongside prospects for precision diagnostics and therapeutics in diabetic wound care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogel for Sustained Delivery of Therapeutic Agents (3rd Edition))
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40 pages, 1638 KB  
Review
Cardiac Tissue Bioprinting: Integrating Structure and Functions Through Biomimetic Design, Bioinks, and Stimulation
by Silvia Marino, Reem Alheijailan, Rita Alonaizan, Stefano Gabetti, Diana Massai and Maurizio Pesce
Gels 2025, 11(8), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11080593 - 31 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1859
Abstract
Pathologies of the heart (e.g., ischemic disease, valve fibrosis and calcification, progressive myocardial fibrosis, heart failure, and arrhythmogenic disorders) stem from the irreversible deterioration of cardiac tissues, leading to severe clinical consequences. The limited regenerative capacity of the adult myocardium and the architectural [...] Read more.
Pathologies of the heart (e.g., ischemic disease, valve fibrosis and calcification, progressive myocardial fibrosis, heart failure, and arrhythmogenic disorders) stem from the irreversible deterioration of cardiac tissues, leading to severe clinical consequences. The limited regenerative capacity of the adult myocardium and the architectural complexity of the heart present major challenges for tissue engineering. However, recent advances in biomaterials and biofabrication techniques have opened new avenues for recreating functional cardiac tissues. Particularly relevant in this context is the integration of biomimetic design principles, such as structural anisotropy, mechanical and electrical responsiveness, and tissue-specific composition, into 3D bioprinting platforms. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current approaches in cardiac bioprinting, with a focus on how structural and functional biomimicry can be achieved using advanced hydrogels, bioprinting techniques, and post-fabrication stimulation. By critically evaluating materials, methods, and applications such as patches, vasculature, valves, and chamber models, we define the state of the art and highlight opportunities for developing next-generation bioengineered cardiac constructs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogel for Sustained Delivery of Therapeutic Agents (3rd Edition))
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