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Biopolymer Gel-Assisted Synthesis of Particles for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition)
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Biopolymer Gel-Assisted Synthesis of Particles for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition)

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 20443

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Mazeyar Parvinzadeh Gashti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Pittsburg State University, 1701 South Broadway Street, Pittsburg, KS 66762, USA
Interests: nanocomposites; fibres; polymers; gels; biopolymers; calcium phosphate; gelatine; electrospun; electrospinning; coatings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Today, we know that biopolymer gels, as cross-linked systems, are extensively used in various areas of biomedicine and pharmacotherapy. Depending on their chemical structure and polarity, biomacromolecular-based gels generally contain functional domains that can act as reactive sites for interactions with ions and generate functional hybrid particles. In biomedical research, these particles are considered in different areas, including bone and tissue engineering, surgical instruments and medical devices, neural engineering, cancer therapy, biomechanics, and medical imaging. Biopolymer gels, such as model systems, are also able to change the shape and morphology of particles and tailor their biofunctionality. Drug-loaded biocompatible gels are extensively explored for the synthesis of particles that can lead to cancer therapy and gradual drug release in different organs. Another interesting approach is implementing biopolymer-loaded hybrid nanoparticles in the bioimaging and molecular diagnostics of diseases due to excellent optical properties.

The investigation of the role of biopolymer-based gels in the synthesis of inorganic particles and crystals is, therefore, important for introducing cost-effective, simple, and convenient strategies regarding biomedical products. In this Special Issue, I welcome original research papers, as well as reviews, on the synthesis of biopolymer–inorganic hybrid particles. The main objective is to gather contributions on various aspects related to the preparation, analyses, pharmaceutical uses, bioimaging, as well as the potential toxicity to humans of these particles during their usage.

I hope that this Special Issue will provide the scientific community with a thorough overview of the current research on particle synthesis, characterization, and applications in the biomedical area.

Dr. Mazeyar Parvinzadeh Gashti
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

  • biopolymer gels in synthesis of hierarchical and self-assembled structures
  • biopolymer hybrid particles for cell encapsulation and biofabrication
  • biopolymer hybrid particles for micropatterning and bio sensing in microfluidic devices
  • injectable biopolymer hybrid particles in biomedical applications
  • biopolymer hybrid particles for drug delivery
  • biopolymer hybrid particles in cosmetic, hygiene, and personal care products

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 18347 KiB  
Article
Amidated and Aminated PMSSO-Hydrogels as a Promising Enzyme-Sensitive Vehicle for Antianemic Drugs
by Polina Orlova, Ivan Meshkov, Sergei Sharikov, Vsevolod Frolov, Anna Skuredina, Pavel Markov, Zoya Bobyleva, Grigorii Lakienko, Egor Latipov, Ilya Kolmogorov, Sergey Vasiliev, Alexandra Kalinina, Aziz Muzafarov and Irina Le-Deygen
Gels 2025, 11(2), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11020118 - 6 Feb 2025
Viewed by 606
Abstract
In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of aminated poly(methyl silsesquioxane)-based hydrogels ((AP/MS)SO-hydrogels) as potential enzyme-sensitive vehicles for antianemic drugs. The hydrogels were synthesized via sol–gel polymerization and functionalized with amine groups. Characterization techniques included Congo red assay, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface [...] Read more.
In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of aminated poly(methyl silsesquioxane)-based hydrogels ((AP/MS)SO-hydrogels) as potential enzyme-sensitive vehicles for antianemic drugs. The hydrogels were synthesized via sol–gel polymerization and functionalized with amine groups. Characterization techniques included Congo red assay, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, 13C NMR, 29Si NMR, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and microscopy of hydrogels. The sorption of ferric chloride and ferrous D-gluconate, as well as complexes of ferrous D-gluconate with HPCD, was evaluated. Crosslinking of the gel with bifunctional agents was performed to create a new amide enzyme-sensitive bond, followed by infrared characterization of the crosslinked product. Trypsin-mediated degradation studies demonstrated the sensitivity of the hydrogel to enzymatic cleavage under model conditions. Iron release experiments in gastric and intestine-simulating media confirmed prolonged release. Overall, our findings suggest that aminated PMSSO-hydrogels hold promise as versatile and biocompatible carriers for targeted delivery of antianemic agents, warranting further exploration in preclinical and clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Gel-Assisted Synthesis of Particles for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition))
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23 pages, 4235 KiB  
Article
Innovative Processing and Sterilization Techniques to Unlock the Potential of Silk Sericin for Biomedical Applications
by Anabela Veiga, Rosa Ana Ramírez-Jiménez, Víctor Santos-Rosales, Carlos A. García-González, Maria Rosa Aguilar, Luis Rojo and Ana L. Oliveira
Gels 2025, 11(2), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11020114 - 6 Feb 2025
Viewed by 734
Abstract
Silk sericin (SS), a by-product of the textile industry, has gained significant attention for its biomedical potential due to its biocompatibility and regenerative potential. However, the literature lacks information on SS processing methods and the resulting physicochemical properties. This study represents the first [...] Read more.
Silk sericin (SS), a by-product of the textile industry, has gained significant attention for its biomedical potential due to its biocompatibility and regenerative potential. However, the literature lacks information on SS processing methods and the resulting physicochemical properties. This study represents the first step in protocol optimization and standardization. In the present work, different processing techniques were studied and compared on SS extracted from boiling water: evaporation, rotary evaporation, lyophilization, and dialysis, which presented a recovery yield of approximately 27–32%. The goal was to find the most promising process to concentrate extracted SS solutions, and to ensure that the SS structure was highly preserved. As a result, a new cryo-lyophilization methodology was proposed. The proposed method allows for the preservation of the amorphous structure, which offers significant advantages including complete dissolution in water and PBS, an increase in storage stability, and the possibility of scaling-up, making it highly suitable for industrial and biomedical applications. The second part of the work focused on addressing another challenge in SS processing: efficient and non-destructive sterilization. Supercritical CO2 (scCO2) has been gaining momentum in the last years for sterilizing sensitive biopolymers and biological materials due to its non-toxicity and mild processing conditions. Thus, scCO2 technology was validated as a mild technique for the terminal sterilization of SS. In this way, it was possible to engineer a sequential cryo-lyophilization/scCO2 sterilization process which was able to preserve the original properties of this natural silk protein. Overall, we have valorized SS into a sterile, off-the-shelf, bioactive, and water-soluble material, with the potential to be used in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Gel-Assisted Synthesis of Particles for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition))
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16 pages, 3540 KiB  
Article
Cryostructuring of Polymeric Systems: 68. Evaluation of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Composite Cryogels Filled with Poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid)-Based Microspheres of Different Porous Morphology as Potential Delivery Systems for Drugs of Various Water-Solubility
by Dmitrii A. Michurov, Gagik A. Andreasyan and Vladimir I. Lozinsky
Gels 2024, 10(11), 734; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10110734 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1240
Abstract
Poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid)-based microspheres of two types, with and without macropores, were prepared; their morphology and particle size were evaluated. These microspheres were entrapped as disperse fillers into the bulk of macroporous cryogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). It was found that the rigidity [...] Read more.
Poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid)-based microspheres of two types, with and without macropores, were prepared; their morphology and particle size were evaluated. These microspheres were entrapped as disperse fillers into the bulk of macroporous cryogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). It was found that the rigidity of the resultant composite cryogels increased markedly as compared to that of unfilled cryogels of the same PVA concentration. The resulting composites were further tested for their potential to act as drug carriers. With that, simvastatin was included into the filler particles directly in the course of their preparation, followed by entrapment of such drug-loaded microspheres into the PVA cryogel. In turn, ibuprofen sodium salt was introduced into the preliminary prepared cryogels filled with the drug-free microspheres. The experimental study of drug release kinetics showed that due to the non-covalent interactions of both simvastatin and ibuprofen sodium salt with the particles of discrete phase, prolongation of the release processes was observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Gel-Assisted Synthesis of Particles for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 3465 KiB  
Article
Enhancement of Curcumin’s Anti-Psoriatic Efficacy via Formulation into Tea Tree Oil-Based Emulgel
by Km Reena, Saurabh Mittal, Mohammad Faizan, Iram Jahan, Yasir Rahman, Rahmuddin Khan, Lalit Singh, Abdulsalam Alhalmi, Omar M. Noman and Ahmad Alahdab
Gels 2023, 9(12), 973; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9120973 - 13 Dec 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3335
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by the hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes. It is a debilitating condition that can cause significant physical and emotional distress. Natural anti-psoriatic agents have been investigated as alternatives to conventional allopathic medications, as [...] Read more.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by the hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes. It is a debilitating condition that can cause significant physical and emotional distress. Natural anti-psoriatic agents have been investigated as alternatives to conventional allopathic medications, as they have notable limitations and drawbacks. Curcumin and tea tree oil are cost-efficient and effective anti-inflammatory medicines with less adverse effects compared to synthetic psoriasis medications. Our research endeavors to harness the therapeutic potential of these natural compounds by developing an herbal anti-psoriatic topical drug delivery system. This novel method uses curcumin and tea tree oil to create a bi-phasic emulgel drug delivery system. Formulations F1 (gel) and F2 (emulgel) have high drug content percentages of 84.2% and 96.7%, respectively. The emulgel showed better spreadability for cutaneous applications, with a viscosity of 92,200 ± 943 cp compared to the gel’s 56,200 ± 1725 cp. The emulgel released 94.48% of the drugs, compared to 87.58% for the gel. These formulations conform to the zero-order and Higuchi models, and their stability over a three-month period is crucial. In vivo, the emulgel healed psoriasis symptoms faster than the usual gel. The gathered results confirmed the emulgel’s potential as a drug delivery method, emphasizing the complementary benefits of tea tree oil and curcumin as an effective new therapy for psoriasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Gel-Assisted Synthesis of Particles for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition))
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21 pages, 4653 KiB  
Article
Phosphorylated Curdlan Gel/Polyvinyl Alcohol Electrospun Nanofibres Loaded with Clove Oil with Antibacterial Activity
by Dana M. Suflet, Irina Popescu, Irina M. Pelin, Geta David, Diana Serbezeanu, Cristina M. Rîmbu, Oana M. Daraba, Alin A. Enache and Maria Bercea
Gels 2022, 8(7), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels8070439 - 13 Jul 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3247
Abstract
Fibrous membranes based on natural polymers obtained by the electrospinning technique are a great choice for wound dressings. In order to promote an efficient wound repair, and to avoid antibiotics, antibacterial plant extracts can be incorporated. In the present work, the new electrospun [...] Read more.
Fibrous membranes based on natural polymers obtained by the electrospinning technique are a great choice for wound dressings. In order to promote an efficient wound repair, and to avoid antibiotics, antibacterial plant extracts can be incorporated. In the present work, the new electrospun nanofibre membranes based on monobasic phosphate curdlan (PCurd) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were obtained for the first time. To establish the adequate mixing ratio for electrospinning, the behaviour of the PCurd and PVA mixture was studied by viscometry and rheology. In order to confer antimicrobial activity with the nanofibre membrane, clove essential oil (CEO) was incorporated into the electrospun solution. Well-defined and drop-free nanofibres with a diameter between 157 nm and 110 nm were obtained. The presence of CEO in the obtained nanofibres was confirmed by ATR–FTIR spectroscopy, by the phenolic and flavonoid contents, and by the antioxidant activity of the membranes. In physiological conditions, CEO was released from the membrane after 24 h. The in vivo antimicrobial tests showed a good inhibitory activity against E. coli and higher activity against S. aureus. Furthermore, the viability cell test showed the lack of cytotoxicity of the nanofibre membrane with and without CEO, confirming its potential use in wound treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Gel-Assisted Synthesis of Particles for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition))
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Review

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21 pages, 4111 KiB  
Review
Magnetic Ionogel and Its Applications
by Sayan Ganguly and Shlomo Margel
Gels 2025, 11(4), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11040219 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 490
Abstract
Magnetic ionogels, a category of hybrid materials consisting of magnetic nanoparticles and ionic liquids, have garnered significant interest owing to their remarkable attributes, including tunability, flexibility, and reactivity to external magnetic fields. These materials provide a distinctive amalgamation of the benefits of both [...] Read more.
Magnetic ionogels, a category of hybrid materials consisting of magnetic nanoparticles and ionic liquids, have garnered significant interest owing to their remarkable attributes, including tunability, flexibility, and reactivity to external magnetic fields. These materials provide a distinctive amalgamation of the benefits of both magnetic nanoparticles and ionogels, resulting in improved efficacy across many applications. Magnetic ionogels may be readily controlled using magnetic fields, rendering them suitable for drug administration, biosensing, soft robotics, and actuators. The capacity to incorporate these materials into dynamic systems presents novel opportunities for the development of responsive, intelligent materials capable of real-time environmental adaptation. Nonetheless, despite the promising potential of magnetic ionogels, problems persist, including the optimization of the magnetic particle dispersion, the enhancement of the ionogel mechanical strength, and the improvement of the long-term stability. This review presents a comprehensive examination of the syntheses, characteristics, and uses of magnetic ionogels, emphasizing significant breakthroughs and persistent problems within the domain. We examine recent advancements and prospective research trajectories aimed at enhancing the design and efficacy of magnetic ionogels for practical applications across diverse fields, including biomedical uses, sensors, and next-generation actuators. This review seeks to elucidate the present status of magnetic ionogels and their prospective influence on materials science and engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Gel-Assisted Synthesis of Particles for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition))
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30 pages, 2673 KiB  
Review
Advanced Drug Delivery Systems for Renal Disorders
by Batoul Alallam, Hazem Choukaife, Salma Seyam, Vuanghao Lim and Mulham Alfatama
Gels 2023, 9(2), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9020115 - 1 Feb 2023
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6018
Abstract
Kidney disease management and treatment are currently causing a substantial global burden. The kidneys are the most important organs in the human urinary system, selectively filtering blood and metabolic waste into urine via the renal glomerulus. Based on charge and/or molecule size, the [...] Read more.
Kidney disease management and treatment are currently causing a substantial global burden. The kidneys are the most important organs in the human urinary system, selectively filtering blood and metabolic waste into urine via the renal glomerulus. Based on charge and/or molecule size, the glomerular filtration apparatus acts as a barrier to therapeutic substances. Therefore, drug distribution to the kidneys is challenging, resulting in therapy failure in a variety of renal illnesses. Hence, different approaches to improve drug delivery across the glomerulus filtration barrier are being investigated. Nanotechnology in medicine has the potential to have a significant impact on human health, from illness prevention to diagnosis and treatment. Nanomaterials with various physicochemical properties, including size, charge, surface and shape, with unique biological attributes, such as low cytotoxicity, high cellular internalization and controllable biodistribution and pharmacokinetics, have demonstrated promising potential in renal therapy. Different types of nanosystems have been employed to deliver drugs to the kidneys. This review highlights the features of the nanomaterials, including the nanoparticles and corresponding hydrogels, in overcoming various barriers of drug delivery to the kidneys. The most common delivery sites and strategies of kidney-targeted drug delivery systems are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Gel-Assisted Synthesis of Particles for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition))
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Other

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8 pages, 573 KiB  
Brief Report
Analysis of Stability, Rheological and Structural Properties of Oleogels Obtained from Peanut Oil Structured with Yellow Beeswax
by Anna Zbikowska, Sylwia Onacik-Gür, Małgorzata Kowalska, Michał Sowiński, Iwona Szymańska, Katarzyna Żbikowska, Katarzyna Marciniak-Łukasiak and Wojciech Werpachowski
Gels 2022, 8(7), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels8070448 - 18 Jul 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3414
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the macro- and microscopic properties of oleogels with yellow beeswax using different methods, especially modern optical techniques. Microrheological properties, physical stability and morphology of oleogel crystals obtained by structuring of peanut oil with yellow beeswax [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the macro- and microscopic properties of oleogels with yellow beeswax using different methods, especially modern optical techniques. Microrheological properties, physical stability and morphology of oleogel crystals obtained by structuring of peanut oil with yellow beeswax was analyzed. It was observed that oleogels, even with the smallest concentration of beeswax (2%), were resistant to centrifugal force. Increase in yellow beeswax concentration (from 2, 4, 6 to 8 %) resulted in significant differences in the characteristics of oleogels: increased elasticity (EI), macroscopic viscosity (MVI) and the firmness values of oleogels. It was concluded that non-invasive optical techniques (multi-speckle diffusing wave spectroscopy—Rheolaser Master) are useful in obtaining a quick evaluation of physical properties of oleogels at the microstructural level, and the received information allows for quality assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Gel-Assisted Synthesis of Particles for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition))
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