Application of Nano-Inspired Scaffolds-Based Biopolymer Hydrogel for Bone and Periodontal Tissue Regeneration

Classification and bibliometric analysis of hydrogels in periodontitis treatment: Trends, mechanisms, advantages, and future research directions

OBJECTIVES

The review assess the potential of hydrogel-based drug delivery systems in treating periodontitis. Hydrogels are classified based on source, composition, configuration, crosslinking methods, ionic charge, and response to stimuli.

METHODS

The methodology comprised of comprehensive data collection from WoS, Scopus and PubMed databases covering the period of 2004-2024 of 626 documents. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOS Viewer to identify research trends, key contributors, prominent topics, and leading journals. A comparative analysis was performed to examine the benefits of hydrogels over conventional periodontitis treatments. Current research and innovations in hydrogel formulations were reviewed, including ongoing clinical trials and commercial products.

RESULTS

China was found to be the leading contributor to hydrogel research in periodontitis, with key topics including "hydrogels," "nanoparticles," and "drug delivery." A detailed classification system for hydrogels was established, aiding in their application for targeted drug delivery and tissue regeneration. Hydrogels were found to offer controlled drug release, support for tissue regeneration, and improved clinical outcomes compared to traditional treatments. Innovations highlighted including the use of various polymers like nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen composites, PLGA-based materials, and chitosan gels in clinical trials, demonstrating enhanced cell proliferation and tissue regeneration.

SIGNIFICANCE

This review underscores the significant potential of hydrogel-based therapies in advancing the treatment of periodontitis. By providing a comprehensive bibliometric analysis and highlighting key research and innovations, it emphasizes the advantages of hydrogels in terms of targeted drug delivery, minimal invasiveness, and support for tissue regeneration. The findings suggest that with further clinical trials and regulatory approvals, hydrogels could become a mainstream, effective treatment option for periodontitis, offering improved patient outcomes and potentially transforming periodontal therapy.

Optimizing the radiation synthesis and swelling of agar-based acrylate superabsorbent hydrogel for irrigation water conservation

This study reports the synthesis of novel agar/poly methacrylic acid/poly acrylic acid (AG/PMAc/PAc) superabsorbent hydrogels via gamma radiation and their subsequent urea modification to enhance swelling and water retention for agricultural applications. The superabsorbent hydrogels were prepared by irradiating aqueous mixtures of varying agar concentrations with methacrylic acid/acrylic acid (MAc/Ac) monomers, followed by urea treatment at different cycles and concentrations. The morphological characteristics and chemical structures were confirmed by SEM and FTIR, respectively. The maximum swelling occurred at 6 % agar and 1 % urea modification. Remarkably, the 1 % urea-modified hydrogel displayed a 41.1 % swelling increase and 236.4 % enhancement after the second modification cycle compared to unmodified samples. Water retention studies showed the modified hydrogel retained 53.2 % moisture after 14 days versus the complete drying of unmodified hydrogels. Soil application studies demonstrated the modified hydrogel increased moisture content by 177.3 % after 20 days, promoting better growth with 30 % more leaves and 38.9 % higher stem length in Vicia faba plants versus controls. This novel radiation-synthesized, urea-modified hydrogel with exceptional swelling and moisture retention capabilities shows promising potential for sustainable agricultural irrigation and crop productivity enhancement under water-deficit conditions.

Sustainable polymeric adsorbents for adsorption-based water remediation and pathogen deactivation: a review

Water is a fundamental resource, yet various contaminants increasingly threaten its quality, necessitating effective remediation strategies. Sustainable polymeric adsorbents have emerged as promising materials in adsorption-based water remediation technologies, particularly for the removal of contaminants and deactivation of water-borne pathogens. Pathogenetic water contamination, which involves the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, poses a significant threat to public health. This review aims to analyze the unique properties of various polymeric materials, including porous aromatic frameworks, biopolymers, and molecularly imprinted polymers, and their effectiveness in water remediation applications. Key findings reveal that these adsorbents demonstrate high surface areas, tunable surface chemistries, and mechanical stability, which enhance their performance in removing contaminants such as heavy metals, organic pollutants, and emerging contaminants from water sources. Furthermore, the review identifies gaps in current research and suggests future directions, including developing multifunctional polymeric materials and integrating adsorption techniques with advanced remediation technologies. This comprehensive analysis aims to contribute to advancing next-generation water purification technologies, ensuring access to clean and safe water for future generations.

Natural biopolymer-based hydrogels: an advanced material for diabetic wound healing

A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is an open sore or wound that typically develops on the bottom of the foot. Almost 15% of people with diabetes are suffering from delayed wound healing worldwide. The main vehicle for the development of ulcers in the diabetic population is poor circulation and peripheral neuropathy. Chronic injuries from diabetes frequently lead to traumatic lower leg amputations. Hydrogels are three-dimensional gels that can be fabricated from natural polymers and synthetic polymers. Biopolymers are flexible, elastic, or fibrous materials that come from a natural source, such as plants, animals, bacteria, or other living things. Some of the naturally occurring polymers that are frequently employed in wound dressing applications include polysaccharides and proteins. These polymers can be employed for many therapeutic applications because of their inherent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, non-toxicity, and biodegradability. They represent a tuneable platform for enhancing skin healing. Therefore, this review paper interprets how natural biopolymers and their various hydrogel forms can be potentially used for diabetic wound healing.

Radiation synthesis of sodium alginate/gelatin based ultra-absorbent hydrogel for efficient water and nitrogen management in wheat under drought stress

The main focus of this study was on using radiation to make an ultra-absorbent hydrogel (UAH) from sodium alginate (SA) and gelatin (GL) biopolymers. This UAH can effectively handle water and nitrogen in wheat farming during drought stress. The hydrogel was synthesized by gamma irradiation-induced SA/GL/polyacrylamide crosslinking at 10-40 kGy. Varying SA/GL ratios affected swelling and the gel fraction of SA/GL/PAm hydrogels. The (SA/GL 17/83) hydrogel exhibited a 40.03 g/g swelling degree, while increasing SA content resulted in higher swelling, peaking at 75.5 g/g for (SA/GL 83/17). This indicated a synergistic interaction between SA and GL. The gel fraction also increased from 76.8 to 90.3%, with a higher GL content reflecting increased crosslinking. After multiple hydrolysis cycles, the hydrogel achieved 1293 (g/g) swelling and 36 days of water retention. When applied to wheat (Triticuma estivum) under drought stress, it significantly improved shoot length (18%), root length (43%), shoot fresh weight (49%), and shoot dry weight (51%) under extreme drought. The significant increases in protein and carbohydrate content in both shoots (up to 32% and 19%, respectively) and grains (up to 21% and 24%, respectively), along with the reduction in proline content (up to 38%), demonstrate that ultra-absorbent hydrogel (UAH) effectively enhances nitrogen content, photosynthesis, and overall plant health in wheat under varying drought stress levels. This novel SA/GL-based UAH holds promise for addressing water scarcity and agricultural challenges, offering a sustainable solution for water and nitrogen management under drought stress.

Challenges of therapeutic applications and regenerative capacities of urine based stem cells in oral, and maxillofacial reconstruction

Urine-derived stem cells (USCs) have gained the attention of researchers in the biomedical field in the past few years . Regarding the several varieties of cells that have been used for this purpose, USCs have demonstrated mesenchymal stem cell-like properties, such as differentiation and immunomodulation. Furthermore, they could be differentiated into several lineages. This is very interesting for regenerative techniques based on cell therapy. This review will embark on describing their separation, and profiling. We will specifically describe the USCs characteristics, in addition to their differentiation potential. Then, we will introduce and explore the primary uses of USCs. These involve thier utilization as a platform to produce stem cells, however, we shall concentrate on the utilization of USCs for therapeutic, and regenerative orofacial applications, providing an in-depth evaluation of this purpose. The final portion will address the limitations and challenges of their implementation in regenerative dentistry.

Harnessing the power of bee venom for therapeutic and regenerative medical applications: an updated review

Honeybees have been helpful insects since ancient centuries, and this benefit is not limited to being a honey producer only. After the bee stings a person, pain, and swelling occur in this place, due to the effects of bee venom (BV). This is not a poison in the total sense of the word because it has many benefits, and this is due to its composition being rich in proteins, peptides, enzymes, and other types of molecules in low concentrations that show promise in the treatment of numerous diseases and conditions. BV has also demonstrated positive effects against various cancers, antimicrobial activity, and wound healing versus the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Even though topical BV therapy is used to varying degrees among countries, localized swelling or itching are common side effects that may occur in some patients. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the complex chemical composition of BV, highlighting the diverse range of bioactive compounds and their therapeutic applications, which extend beyond the well-known anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, showcasing the versatility of BV in modern medicine. A specific search strategy was followed across various databases; Web of sciences, Scopus, Medline, and Google Scholar including in vitro and in vivo clinical studies.to outline an overview of BV composition, methods to use, preparation requirements, and Individual consumption contraindications. Furthermore, this review addresses safety concerns and emerging approaches, such as the use of nanoparticles, to mitigate adverse effects, demonstrating a balanced and holistic perspective. Importantly, the review also incorporates historical context and traditional uses, as well as a unique focus on veterinary applications, setting it apart from previous works and providing a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in the field.

Prospectives and challenges of nano-tailored biomaterials-assisted biological molecules delivery for tissue engineering purposes

Nano carriers have gained more attention for their possible medical and technological applications. Tailored nanomaterials can transport medications efficiently to targeted areas and allow for sustained medication discharge, reducing undesirable toxicities while boosting curative effectiveness. Nonetheless, transitioning nanomedicines from experimental to therapeutic applications has proven difficult, so different pharmaceutical incorporation approaches in nano scaffolds are discussed. Then numerous types of nanobiomaterials implemented as carriers and their manufacturing techniques are explored. This article is also supported by various applications of nanobiomaterials in the biomedical field.

Bioactive injectable mucoadhesive thermosensitive natural polymeric hydrogels for oral bone and periodontal regeneration

Periodontitis is an inflammation-related condition, caused by an infectious microbiome and host defense that causes damage to periodontium. The natural processes of the mouth, like saliva production and eating, significantly diminish therapeutic medication residency in the region of periodontal disease. Furthermore, the complexity and diversity of pathological mechanisms make successful periodontitis treatment challenging. As a result, developing enhanced local drug delivery technologies and logical therapy procedures provides the foundation for effective periodontitis treatment. Being biocompatible, biodegradable, and easily administered to the periodontal tissues, hydrogels have sparked substantial an intense curiosity in the discipline of periodontal therapy. The primary objective of hydrogel research has changed in recent years to intelligent thermosensitive hydrogels, that involve local adjustable sol-gel transformations and regulate medication release in reaction to temperature, we present a thorough introduction to the creation and efficient construction of new intelligent thermosensitive hydrogels for periodontal regeneration. We also address cutting-edge smart hydrogel treatment options based on periodontitis pathophysiology. Furthermore, the problems and prospective study objectives are reviewed, with a focus on establishing effective hydrogel delivery methods and prospective clinical applications.

Productizing Nano-Bioactive Glass-Based Bilayer Scaffolds: A Graft for Reconstruction of Mandibular and Femoral Bone Defects

This investigation aimed to construct a bilayer scaffold integrating alginate and gelatin with nanobioactive glass (BG), recognized for their efficacy in tissue regeneration and drug delivery. Scaffolds, namely, alginate/gelatin (AG), alginate-/actonel gelatin (AGD), alginate actenol/gelatin-45S5 BG (4AGD), and alginate-actonel/gelatin-59S BG (5AGD), were assembled using a cost-effective freeze-drying method, followed by detailed structural investigation via powder X-ray diffraction as well as morphological characterization using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). FESEM revealed a honeycomb-like morphology with distinct pore sizes for nutrient, oxygen, and drug transport. The scaffolds evidently exhibited hemocompatibility, high porosity, good swelling capacity, and biodegradability. In vitro studies demonstrated sustained drug release, particularly for scaffolds containing actonel. In vivo tests showed that the bilayer scaffold promoted new bone formation, surpassing the control group in bone area increase. The interaction of the scaffold with collagen and released ions improved the osteoblastic function and bone volume fraction. The findings suggest that this bilayer scaffold could be beneficial for treating critical-sized bone defects, especially in the mandibular and femoral regions.

Hydrogel Microparticles for Bone Regeneration

Hydrogel microparticles (HMPs) stand out as promising entities in the realm of bone tissue regeneration, primarily due to their versatile capabilities in delivering cells and bioactive molecules/drugs. Their significance is underscored by distinct attributes such as injectability, biodegradability, high porosity, and mechanical tunability. These characteristics play a pivotal role in fostering vasculature formation, facilitating mineral deposition, and contributing to the overall regeneration of bone tissue. Fabricated through diverse techniques (batch emulsion, microfluidics, lithography, and electrohydrodynamic spraying), HMPs exhibit multifunctionality, serving as vehicles for drug and cell delivery, providing structural scaffolding, and functioning as bioinks for advanced 3D-printing applications. Distinguishing themselves from other scaffolds like bulk hydrogels, cryogels, foams, meshes, and fibers, HMPs provide a higher surface-area-to-volume ratio, promoting improved interactions with the surrounding tissues and facilitating the efficient delivery of cells and bioactive molecules. Notably, their minimally invasive injectability and modular properties, offering various designs and configurations, contribute to their attractiveness for biomedical applications. This comprehensive review aims to delve into the progressive advancements in HMPs, specifically for bone regeneration. The exploration encompasses synthesis and functionalization techniques, providing an understanding of their diverse applications, as documented in the existing literature. The overarching goal is to shed light on the advantages and potential of HMPs within the field of engineering bone tissue.

Towards Polycaprolactone-Based Scaffolds for Alveolar Bone Tissue Engineering: A Biomimetic Approach in a 3D Printing Technique

The alveolar bone is a unique type of bone, and the goal of bone tissue engineering (BTE) is to develop methods to facilitate its regeneration. Currently, an emerging trend involves the fabrication of polycaprolactone (PCL)-based scaffolds using a three-dimensional (3D) printing technique to enhance an osteoconductive architecture. These scaffolds are further modified with hydroxyapatite (HA), type I collagen (CGI), or chitosan (CS) to impart high osteoinductive potential. In conjunction with cell therapy, these scaffolds may serve as an appealing alternative to bone autografts. This review discusses research gaps in the designing of 3D-printed PCL-based scaffolds from a biomimetic perspective. The article begins with a systematic analysis of biological mineralisation (biomineralisation) and ossification to optimise the scaffold's structural, mechanical, degradation, and surface properties. This scaffold-designing strategy lays the groundwork for developing a research pathway that spans fundamental principles such as molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and fabrication techniques. Ultimately, this paves the way for systematic in vitro and in vivo studies, leading to potential clinical applications.

Macro, Micro, and Nano-Inspired Bioactive Polymeric Biomaterials in Therapeutic, and Regenerative Orofacial Applications

Introducing dental polymers has accelerated biotechnological research, advancing tissue engineering, biomaterials development, and drug delivery. Polymers have been utilized effectively in dentistry to build dentures and orthodontic equipment and are key components in the composition of numerous restorative materials. Furthermore, dental polymers have the potential to be employed for medication administration and tissue regeneration. To analyze the influence of polymer-based investigations on practical medical trials, it is required to evaluate the research undertaken in this sector. The present review aims to gather evidence on polymer applications in dental, oral, and maxillofacial reconstruction.

Advances in hydrogels for the treatment of periodontitis

Periodontitis is the second most prevalent oral disease and can cause serious harm to human health. Hydrogels are excellent biomaterials that can be used for periodontitis as drug delivery platforms to achieve inflammation control through high drug delivery efficiency and sustained drug release and as tissue scaffolds to achieve tissue remodelling through encapsulated cell wrapping and effective mass transfer. In this review, we summarize the latest advances in the treatment of periodontitis with hydrogels. The pathogenic mechanisms of periodontitis are introduced first, followed by the recent progress of hydrogels in controlling inflammation and tissue reconstruction, in which the specific performance of hydrogels is discussed in detail. Finally, the challenges and limitations of hydrogels for clinical applications in periodontitis are discussed and possible directions for development are proposed. This review aims to provide a reference for the design and fabrication of hydrogels for the treatment of periodontitis.

New Challenges and Prospective Applications of Three-Dimensional Bioactive Polymeric Hydrogels in Oral and Craniofacial Tissue Engineering: A Narrative Review

Regenerative medicine, and dentistry offers enormous potential for enhancing treatment results and has been fueled by bioengineering breakthroughs over the previous few decades. Bioengineered tissues and constructing functional structures capable of healing, maintaining, and regenerating damaged tissues and organs have had a broad influence on medicine and dentistry. Approaches for combining bioinspired materials, cells, and therapeutic chemicals are critical in stimulating tissue regeneration or as medicinal systems. Because of its capacity to maintain an unique 3D form, offer physical stability for the cells in produced tissues, and replicate the native tissues, hydrogels have been utilized as one of the most frequent tissue engineering scaffolds during the last twenty years. Hydrogels' high water content can provide an excellent conditions for cell viability as well as an architecture that mimics real tissues, bone, and cartilage. Hydrogels have been used to enable cell immobilization and growth factor application. This paper summarizes the features, structure, synthesis and production methods, uses, new challenges, and future prospects of bioactive polymeric hydrogels in dental and osseous tissue engineering of clinical, exploring, systematical and scientific applications.

Bioceramic and polycationic biopolymer nanocomposite scaffolds for improved wound self-healing and anti-inflammatory properties: an in vitro study

The development of wound healing scaffolds with high porosity, rapid healing properties, and anti-inflammatory functionality is vital in the chronic wound healing stage for the production of extracellular matrices of injured tissues. The 45S5 bioactive glass (BG) possesses good biocompatibility and provides a potential bonding resource for fibroblast cell proliferation, growth factor synthesis, and granulated tissue formation. Chitosan, a natural polymer, promotes tissue regeneration and has anti-microbial properties. BG and chitosan scaffolds were prepared by the freeze-drying (lyophilization) method. The chitosan scaffold is a semi-crystalline polymer with a random crystal structure because it contains more hydroxyl groups. Chitosan alone shows a sheet-like morphology with a porous microstructure (1.7475 nm). BG particulates were well decorated over the surface of the chitosan scaffold with a homogeneous dispersion. Cell viability was observed for L929 cells on the chitosan-BG scaffolds. Confocal images vividly depict the interaction of the L929 cells with the scaffold without causing any damage to the cell membrane. In vitro scratch assay shows the best wound healing activity (complete wound closure) for the BG-chitosan nanocomposite scaffolds at 18 h. The chitosan-BG scaffolds were combined with anti-inflammatory drugs and induced inflammatory genes at an inhibition rate of COX of (36, 28, and 30%), LOX of (20, 13, and 14%), and NO of (48, 38, and 39%) for chitosan, chitosan-BG, and chitosan-BG (Na-free) at 100 μL addition. The in vitro bioactivities proved that the chitosan-BG scaffolds could enable better cell formation, and exhibited improved biocompatibility, and anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.

Baghdadite: A Novel and Promising Calcium Silicate in Regenerative Dentistry and Medicine

For several years, ceramic biomaterials have been extensively utilized to rebuild and substitute for body tissues. Calcium silicates have been proven to exhibit excellent bioactivity due to apatite formation and cell proliferation stimulation, in addition to degradability at levels adequate for hard tissue formation. These ceramics' excellent biological characteristics have attracted researchers. Baghdadite is a calcium silicate incorporating zirconium ions that enhances human osteoblast multiplication and development, increasing mineralization, and ossification. It has currently received much interest in academic institutions and has been extensively explored in the form of permeable frameworks, varnishes, bone adhesive and gap fillings, microparticles, and nanospheres, particularly in a wide range of biomedical applications. This review article aims to summarize and analyze the most recent research on baghdadite's mechanical characteristics, apatite-forming capability, dissolution pattern, and physiochemical qualities as a scaffold for dentofacial tissuè regeneration purposes.

Hydrogel-Encapsulated Heterogenous Mesoporous Resin Catalyst for In Situ Anti-Cancer Agent Production under Biological Conditions

A heterogenous Palladium anchored Resorcinol-formaldehyde-hyperbranched PEI mesoporous catalyst, made by one-pot synthesis, was used successfully for in situ Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling synthesis of anticancer prodrug PP-121 from iodoprazole and boronic ester precursors. The mesoporous catalyst with the non-cytotoxic precursors were tested in 2D in vitro model with excellent cytocompatibility and a strong suppression of PC3 cancer cell proliferation, underscored by 50% reduction in PC3 cells viability and 55% reduction in cell metabolism activity and an enhanced rate of early and late apoptosis in flow cytometry, that was induced only by successful in situ pro drug PP121 synthesis from the precursors. The 3D gelatin methacrylate hydrogel encapsulated in vitro cell models underscored the results with a 52% reduction in cell metabolism and underscored apoptosis of PC3 cells when the Pd anchored catalyst was combined with the precursors. In situ application of Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling of non-cytotoxic precursors to cancer drug, along with their successful encapsulation in an injectable hydrogel could be applied for tumor point drug delivery strategies that can circumvent deleterious side effects and poor bioavailability chemotherapy routes with concomitant enhanced efficacy.