Advanced Hydrogels in Drug Delivery and Wound Healing

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 2773

Special Issue Editors

Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India
Interests: drug delivery; nano biomaterial; liposomes; cancer targeting; stimuli-responsive gels

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Guest Editor
School of Pharmaceuticals and Population Health Informatics, DIT University, Dehradun 248009, Uttarakhand, India
Interests: drug delivery nanotechnology; drug targeting; drug delivery systems; gel

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogels have emerged as a promising class of materials for drug delivery and wound-healing applications due to their unique properties, such as high water content, biocompatibility, and ability to mimic the extracellular matrix. Recent advances in hydrogel-based drug delivery systems have enabled the controlled and/or targeted delivery of drugs with enhanced efficacy. In addition, hydrogels have been used as wound dressings to promote healing by providing a moist environment, protecting the wound from infection, and promoting tissue regeneration. The pH-, temperature-, and ion-sensitive in situ and fluidic gels are emerging types of gels in drug delivery for the management of different diseases. This Special Issue highlights the latest advances in hydrogel technology for drug delivery and wound healing, including novel hydrogel formulations, methods for controlling drug release, strategies for improving wound-healing outcomes, and the translation of hydrogel-based technologies from bench to bedside. The articles in this issue cover a wide range of topics, from the design and characterization of hydrogel-based drug delivery systems using natural and synthetic polymers to the development of new hydrogel materials with improved mechanical and biological properties. In addition, the issue presents cutting-edge research on the use of hydrogels in combination with other therapeutic agents, such as growth factors and stem cells, to enhance wound healing and tissue regeneration. Overall, the articles demonstrate the tremendous potential of hydrogels for drug delivery and wound healing and highlight the importance of continued research and development in this exciting field.

Dr. Ankit Jain
Dr. Satish Shilpi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • hydrogel
  • drug delivery
  • wound healing
  • stimuli-responsive delivery
  • interpenetrating polymer networks
  • 3D-printed nanomedicine

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 5275 KiB  
Article
Development of pH-Responsive, Thermosensitive, Antibacterial, and Anticancer CS/PVA/Graphene Blended Hydrogels for Controlled Drug Delivery
by Saira Mansha, Amna Sajjad, Aneeqa Zarbab, Tahmina Afzal, Zakia Kanwal, Muhammad Javaid Iqbal, Mohsin Ali Raza and Sharafat Ali
Gels 2024, 10(3), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10030205 - 18 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1187
Abstract
Drug delivery techniques based on polymers have been investigated for their potential to improve drug solubility, reduce systemic side effects, and controlled and targeted administration at infection site. In this study, we developed a co-polymeric hydrogel composed of graphene sheets (GNS), polyvinyl alcohol [...] Read more.
Drug delivery techniques based on polymers have been investigated for their potential to improve drug solubility, reduce systemic side effects, and controlled and targeted administration at infection site. In this study, we developed a co-polymeric hydrogel composed of graphene sheets (GNS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and chitosan (CS) that is loaded with methotrexate (MTX) for in vitro liver cancer treatment. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to check the structural properties and surface morphology. Moreover, tests were conducted on the cytotoxicity, hemolytic activity, release kinetics, swelling behaviour and degradation of hydrogels. A controlled release of drug from hydrogel in PBS at pH 7.4 was examined using release kinetics. Maximal drug release in six hours was 97.34%. The prepared hydrogels did not encourage the HepG2 growth and were non-hemolytic. The current study highlights the potential of GNS-based hydrogel loaded with MTX as an encouraging therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. HepG2 cell viability of MTX-loaded CS-PVA-GNS hydrogel was (IC50 5.87 µg/200 mL) in comparison to free MTX (IC50 5.03 µg/200 mL). These outcomes recommend that hydrogels with GNS ensure improved drug delivery in cancer microenvironment while lessening adverse consequences on healthy cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Hydrogels in Drug Delivery and Wound Healing)
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35 pages, 4455 KiB  
Review
Transforming Medicinal Oil into Advanced Gel: An Update on Advancements
by Rahul Maurya, Lakshminarayana Misro, Thirupataiah Boini, Thulasi Radhakrishnan, Parvathy G. Nair, Sudesh N. Gaidhani and Ankit Jain
Gels 2024, 10(5), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10050342 - 17 May 2024
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Abstract
The present study delves into the evolution of traditional Ayurvedic oil preparations through innovative strategies to develop advanced gel formulations, aiming at amplifying their therapeutic efficacy. Ayurvedic oils have a rich historical context in healing practices, yet their conversion into contemporary gel-based formulations [...] Read more.
The present study delves into the evolution of traditional Ayurvedic oil preparations through innovative strategies to develop advanced gel formulations, aiming at amplifying their therapeutic efficacy. Ayurvedic oils have a rich historical context in healing practices, yet their conversion into contemporary gel-based formulations represents a revolutionary approach to augment their medicinal potential. The primary objective of this transformation is to leverage scientific advancements and modern pharmaceutical techniques to enhance the application, absorption, and overall therapeutic impact of these traditional remedies. By encapsulating the essential constituents of Ayurvedic oils within gel matrices, these novel strategies endeavor to improve their stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery mechanisms. This review highlights the fusion of traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with cutting-edge pharmaceutical technology, paving the way for more effective and accessible utilization of these revered remedies in modern healthcare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Hydrogels in Drug Delivery and Wound Healing)
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