One-Step Preparation of Carboxymethyl Cellulose—Phytic Acid Hydrogels with Potential for Biomedical Applications

Self-healing injectable hydrogels incorporating hyaluronic acid and phytic acid: Rheological insights and implications for regenerative medicine

Eying the increasing impact of hyaluronic acid (HA) and its multifaceted applications, this study employs a non-toxic, one-pot strategy to develop injectable, self-healing hydrogels for biomedical applications. Phytic acid (PA), a plant-derived organic acid with high biocompatibility and numerous hydroxyl groups, can act as a cross-linking agent to form hydrogen-bonded networks with the HA chains. The study examined the optimal mass ratio of HA to PA to achieve superior hydrogel performance. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, rheological studies, and thermal analysis confirmed the successful formation of the hydrogels, which exhibited injectability, rapid self-healing, malleability, and elasticity. The investigation of different compositions revealed a sensitive influence of PA on the self-assembly phenomena of HA during flow. SEM cross-section images of the freeze-dried gels revealed a porous surface in the form of an interconnected network of microchannels. In addition, the hydrogel exhibits good tissue adhesion properties and promotes cell proliferation in biocompatibility tests on human gingival fibroblasts. The significance of this study lies in the ability of the proposed materials to be injected, to conform to the complex 3D structure of host tissues as well as their ability to recover after damage, indicating significant potential as scaffolds for wound healing.

Exploring Applications and Preparation Techniques for Cellulose Hydrogels: A Comprehensive Review

Cellulose hydrogels, formed either through physical or chemical cross-linking into a three-dimensional network from cellulose or its derivatives, are renowned for their exceptional water absorption capacities and biocompatibility. Rising demands for sustainable materials have spurred interest in cellulose hydrogels, attributed to their abundant supply, biodegradability, and non-toxic nature. These properties highlight their extensive potential across various sectors including biomedicine, the food industry, and environmental protection. Cellulose hydrogels are particularly advantageous in applications such as drug delivery, wound dressing, and water treatment. Recent large-scale studies have advanced our understanding of cellulose preparation and its applications. This review delves into the fundamental concepts, preparation techniques, and current applications of cellulose hydrogels in diverse fields. It also discusses the latest advances in nano-lignin-based hydrogels, providing a comprehensive overview of this promising material and offering insights and guidance for future research and development.

Development and Characterization of Gelatin-Based Hydrogels Containing Triblock Copolymer and Phytic Acid

In recent research, significant interest has been directed towards gelatin-based hydrogels due to their affordable price, extensive availability, and biocompatibility, making them promising candidates for various biomedical applications. The development and characterization of novel hydrogels formed from varying ratios of gelatin, triblock copolymer Pluronic F-127, and phytic acid have been presented. Swelling properties were examined at different pH levels. The morphology of hydrogels and their thermal properties were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of the hydrogels was also performed. The introduction of phytic acid in the hydrogel plays a crucial role in enhancing the intermolecular interactions within gelatin-based hydrogels, contributing to a more stable, elastic, and robust network structure.

Dual-Responsive Hydrogels for Mercury Ion Detection and Removal from Wastewater

This study describes the development of a fast and cost-effective method for the detection and removal of Hg2+ ions from aqueous media, consisting of hydrogels incorporating chelating agents and a rhodamine derivative (to afford a qualitative evaluation of the heavy metal entrapment inside the 3D polymeric matrix). These hydrogels, designed for the simultaneous detection and entrapment of mercury, were obtained through the photopolymerization of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPSA) and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP), utilizing N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as crosslinker, in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a rhodamine B derivative, and one of the following chelating agents: phytic acid, 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-tetraacetic acid, triethylenetetramine-hexaacetic acid, or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt. The rhodamine derivative had a dual purpose in this study: firstly, it was incorporated into the hydrogel to allow the qualitative evaluation of mercury entrapment through its fluorogenic switch-off abilities when sensing Hg2+ ions; secondly, it was used to quantitatively evaluate the level of residual mercury from the decontaminated aqueous solutions, via the UV-Vis technique. The ICP-MS analysis of the hydrogels also confirmed the successful entrapment of mercury inside the hydrogels and a good correlation with the UV-Vis method.

Phytic acid-modified carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel for uranium adsorption from aqueous solutions

Phytic acid-modified carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-PA) has been investigated as a promising adsorbent for the removal of uranium from aqueous solutions. The synthesis of CMC-PA involves the hydrogen bonding interaction between CMC and PA, resulting in the incorporation of PA groups onto the cellulose backbone. The hydrophilicity, reusability and adsorption capacity of the prepared CMC-PA hydrogel have improved with the increase of PA content. Moreover, the adsorption experiments were conducted by varying parameters such as pH, initial uranium concentration, and contact time. The results showed that CMC-PA exhibited excellent uranium adsorption performance, with a theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of 436 mg/g. In addition, the material exhibits excellent reusability, and the reusability improves with the increase of crosslinking density, indicating that the crosslinking structure of the polymer gel can effectively enhance the structural stability of the material. Furthermore, CMC-PA also exhibits high selective adsorption performance towards uranium ions in the presence of various competing ions. Its high adsorption capacity, reusability, and selectivity make it a promising candidate for high-performance uranium ion adsorbents.

Synergistic amalgamation of shellac with self-antibacterial hydroxyapatite and carboxymethyl cellulose: An interactive wound dressing for ensuring safety and efficacy in preliminary in vivo studies

This study focuses on the synergistic formulation of environmentally friendly blended materials based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) for advanced interactive wound dressing. New CMC hydrogels were prepared with two degrees of functionalization and chemically crosslinked with citric acid (CA) to fine-tune their properties. Additionally, CMC-based hybrids were created by blending with shellac (SHL) and incorporating self-antibacterial hydroxyapatite (HA) to inhibit bacterial growth and promote wound healing. The results demonstrate the successful production of superabsorbent hydrogels with typical swelling degrees ranging from 81% in water to 82% in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). These hydrogels exhibit distinct morphological features and remarkable improvements in surface mechanical properties, specifically in their tensile properties, which show a significant increase from approximately 0.03 to 2.2 N/mm2 due to the formation of CMC-SHL-HA hybrid nanostructures. Furthermore, the cytocompatibility of these CMC-based hydrogels was investigated by assessing the in vitro cell viability responses of human skin fibroblasts. The results reveal the cell viability responses over 91%, indicating their biocompatibility with human cells. Moreover, the characteristics of surgical wounds were assessed before and after the application of the hydrogel on dogs, and no signs of infection were observed at any of the surgical sites post-surgery.

Rheological insights on Carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels

Hydrogels are copiously studied for tissue engineering, drug delivery, and bone regeneration owing to their water content, mechanical strength, and elastic behaviour. The preparation of stable and mechanically strengthened hydrogels without using toxic crosslinkers and expensive approaches is immensely challenging. In this study, we prepared Carboxymethyl cellulose based hydrogels with different polymer concentration via a less expensive physical crosslinking approach without using any toxic crosslinkers and evaluated their mechanical strength. In this hydrogel system, the carbopol concentration was fixed at 1 wt/v% and the Carboxymethyl cellulose concentration was varied between 1 and 5 wt/v%. In this hydrogel system, Carbopol serves as the crosslinker to bridge Carboxymethyl cellulose polymer through hydrogen bonds. Rheological analysis was employed in assessing the mechanical properties of the prepared hydrogel, in particular, the viscoelastic behaviour of the hydrogels. The viscoelastic nature and mechanical strength of the hydrogels increased with an increase in the Carboxymethyl cellulose polymer concentration. Further, our results suggested that gels with Carboxymethyl cellulose concentration between 3 wt/v % and 4 wt/v % with yield stresses of 58.83 Pa and 81.47 Pa, respectively, are potential candidates for use in transdermal drug delivery. The prepared hydrogels possessed high thermal stability and retained their gel network structure even at 50 °C. These findings are beneficial for biomedical applications in transdermal drug delivery and tissue engineering owing to the biocompatibility, stability, and mechanical strength of the prepared hydrogels.

Alginate-Based Hydrogels Enriched with Lavender Essential Oil: Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties, Antimicrobial Activity, and In Vivo Biocompatibility

Owing to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, in the last few years, lavender essential oil (LVO) has been used in medical applications as a promising approach for treating infected wounds. However, the practical applicability of LVO is limited by its high volatility and storage stability. This study aimed to develop a novel hybrid hydrogel by combining phytic acid (PA)-crosslinked sodium alginate (SA) and poly(itaconic anhydride-co-3,9-divinyl-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5] undecane (PITAU) and evaluate its potential effectiveness as an antibacterial wound dressing after incorporating LVO. The influence of the mass ratio between SA and PITAU on the properties and stability of hydrogels was investigated. After LVO loading, the effect of oil addition to hydrogels on their functional properties and associated structural changes was studied. FTIR analysis revealed that hydrogen bonding is the primary interaction mechanism between components in the hybrid hydrogels. The morphology was analyzed using SEM, evidencing a porosity dependent on the ratio between SA and PITAU, while LVO droplets were well dispersed in the polymer blend. The release of LVO from the hydrogels was determined using UV-VIS spectroscopy, indicating a sustained release over time, independent of the LVO concentration. In addition, the hybrid hydrogels were tested for their antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Very good antimicrobial activity was obtained in the case of sample SA_PITAU3+LVO10% against S. aureus and C. albicans. Moreover, in vivo tests showed an increased antioxidant effect of the SA_PITAU3+LVO10% hydrogel compared to the oil-free scaffold that may aid in accelerating the healing process of wounds.

A Review of Patents and Innovative Biopolymer-Based Hydrogels

Biopolymers represent a great resource for the development and utilization of new functional materials due to their particular advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity. "Intelligent gels" sensitive to different stimuli (temperature, pH, ionic strength) have different applications in many industries (e.g., pharmacy, biomedicine, food). This review summarizes the research efforts presented in the patent and non-patent literature. A discussion was conducted regarding biopolymer-based hydrogels such as natural proteins (i.e., fibrin, silk fibroin, collagen, keratin, gelatin) and polysaccharides (i.e., chitosan, hyaluronic acid, cellulose, carrageenan, alginate). In this analysis, the latest advances in the modification and characterization of advanced biopolymeric formulations and their state-of-the-art administration in drug delivery, wound healing, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine were addressed.