Biosoursed and Bioinspired Gels 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: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 2922

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institut de Physique de Nice (INPHYNI, UMR 7010), Université Côte d’Azur, 06000 Nice, France
Interests: hydrogel; chitosan; surface modification; nanoparticles; nanomaterials
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are grateful to all authors, reviewers, and readers for their responses to the first edition of our Special Issue on “Biosourced and Bioinspired Gels for Biomedical Applications”. You can access these articles for free via the link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/gels/special_issues/55SHEKSYF7.

Hydrogels are supramolecular networks with three-dimensional organizations. This organization allows hydrogels to absorb large amounts of water. From low-molecular-weight gelators to macromolecules, a wide variety of molecules are described to stabilize hydrogels. These materials are intensively studied by researchers and can be used for a wide variety of applications. As for examples in biomedical fields, hydrogels are described for cell culture, drug delivery, 3D printing, or self-healing materials.

Various molecules are able to self-assemble in order to form hydrogels. Among this diversity, biomacromolecules (carbohydrates, peptides, etc.) are of particular interest due to their half-life, stability, safety, and ease of manufacture. However, small molecules may also be used as gelators. Inspired by nature, small molecules able to self-assemble have been developed. All macro- and small molecules are deeply investigated for their potential applications in the biomedical field.

The objective of this Special Issue is to bring together and highlight innovative work in the field of biosourced and bioinspired gels for biomedical applications. This outcome will be an opportunity to bring together the contributions of leading experts in this field and to motivate the participation of new experts.

Dr. Guilhem Godeau
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

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Keywords

  • biomacromolecules
  • hydrogel
  • low-molecular-weight gelator
  • 3D printing
  • drug delivery
  • self-healing
  • cell culture

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1919 KiB  
Article
Formulation and Evaluation of Clotrimazole Mucoadhesive Vaginal Globules
by Barbara Jadach and Michalina Otworowska
Gels 2024, 10(11), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10110716 - 6 Nov 2024
Viewed by 487
Abstract
The aim of this study was to prepare vaginal suppositories with mucoadhesive properties to prolong the action of antifungal component clotrimazole (CLO). This was achieved by preparing vaginal pessaries on a hydrophilic gel base composed of gelatin and gelatin enriched with PEG 400 [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to prepare vaginal suppositories with mucoadhesive properties to prolong the action of antifungal component clotrimazole (CLO). This was achieved by preparing vaginal pessaries on a hydrophilic gel base composed of gelatin and gelatin enriched with PEG 400 (in a 1:1 ratio), and then checking the properties of the obtained vaginal drugs. The prepared globules, containing 100 mg of CLO, were characterized in terms of mass and swelling index, organoleptic analysis was also prepared. In addition, a texture analysis and a study of the dissolution of clotrimazole were performed. On the basis of the obtained results, it was concluded that the modification of the composition of the gelatin–glycerin base by the addition of macrogol had a positive effect on the mucoadhesive properties of the globules. In addition, due to the presence of PEG 400, the globules were stiffer. It was also observed that the presence of CLO reduces the value of the force needed for compression during the texture analysis study. Comparing the CLO release profiles of the prepared globules and commercially available clotrimazole tablets, the release profile for the globules was slower than for the tablets, which indicates the possibility of using mucoadhesive globules as a form of a drug that releases the medicinal substance more slowly at the site of administration. Full article
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21 pages, 4324 KiB  
Article
Development of Personalised Immediate-Release Gel-Based Formulations Using Semi-Solid Extrusion
by Morenikeji Aina, Fabien Baillon, Romain Sescousse, Noelia M. Sanchez-Ballester, Sylvie Begu, Ian Soulairol and Martial Sauceau
Gels 2024, 10(10), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10100665 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 869
Abstract
Precision in dosing is crucial for optimizing therapeutic outcomes and preventing overdosing, especially in preterm infants. Traditional manual adjustments to adapt the dose often lead to inaccuracies, contamination risks, and reduced precision. To overcome these challenges, semi-solid extrusion 3D printing was used to [...] Read more.
Precision in dosing is crucial for optimizing therapeutic outcomes and preventing overdosing, especially in preterm infants. Traditional manual adjustments to adapt the dose often lead to inaccuracies, contamination risks, and reduced precision. To overcome these challenges, semi-solid extrusion 3D printing was used to create personalised gel-based caffeine dosage forms. The hydrogels, made from agar and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, demonstrated excellent rheological properties, ensuring uniform extrusion and accurate shape retention during and after printing. This gel formulation allowed for precise adjustments of caffeine volume and content tailored to a neonate weighing 1.36 kg, achieving a recovery of 103.46%, well within acceptable limits. Additionally, three production batches confirmed the process’s reproducibility with minimal variability. Forced degradation studies showed that both pure caffeine and caffeine in the gel matrix exhibited similar stability profiles, confirming the drug’s chemical integrity. The printed gel dosage forms also displayed immediate-release characteristics, with over 80% of caffeine released within 45 min, highlighting their suitability for rapid therapeutic action. These findings emphasise the potential of SSE 3DP and gel-based formulations to produce personalised drug delivery systems with high precision, reproducibility, and reliability. Full article
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Review

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25 pages, 8025 KiB  
Review
The Unfulfilled Potential of Synthetic and Biological Hydrogel Membranes in the Treatment of Abdominal Hernias
by Kenigen Manikion, Christodoulos Chrysanthou and Constantinos Voniatis
Gels 2024, 10(12), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10120754 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 367
Abstract
Hydrogel membranes can offer a cutting-edge solution for abdominal hernia treatment. By combining favorable mechanical parameters, tissue integration, and the potential for targeted drug delivery, hydrogels are a promising alternative therapeutic option. The current review examines the application of hydrogel materials composed of [...] Read more.
Hydrogel membranes can offer a cutting-edge solution for abdominal hernia treatment. By combining favorable mechanical parameters, tissue integration, and the potential for targeted drug delivery, hydrogels are a promising alternative therapeutic option. The current review examines the application of hydrogel materials composed of synthetic and biological polymers, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), gelatine, and silk fibroin, in the context of hernia repair. Overall, this review highlights the current issues and prospects of hydrogel membranes as viable alternatives to the conventional hernia meshes. The emphasis is placed on the applicability of these hydrogels as components of bilayer systems and standalone materials. According to our research, hydrogel membranes exhibit several advantageous features relevant to hernia repair, such as a controlled inflammatory reaction, tissue integration, anti-adhesive-, and even thermoresponsive properties. Nevertheless, despite significant advancements in material science, the potential of hydrogel membranes seems neglected. Bilayer constructs have not transitioned to clinical trials, whereas standalone membranes seem unreliable due to the lack of comprehensive mechanical characterization and long-term in vivo experiments. Full article
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17 pages, 11747 KiB  
Review
Responsive Hydrogel-Based Drug Delivery Platform for Osteoarthritis Treatment
by Bin Yin, Jianda Xu, Jingqi Lu, Changjin Ou, Kai Zhang, Fan Gao and Yizhou Zhang
Gels 2024, 10(11), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10110696 - 26 Oct 2024
Viewed by 779
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent chronic joint disorder and is a major cause of disability among the elderly population. The degeneration and damage of articular cartilage associated with OA can result in a diminished range of motion in joints, subsequently impacting fundamental [...] Read more.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent chronic joint disorder and is a major cause of disability among the elderly population. The degeneration and damage of articular cartilage associated with OA can result in a diminished range of motion in joints, subsequently impacting fundamental activities such as ambulation, standing, and grasping objects. In severe cases, it may culminate in disability. Traditional pharmacological treatments are often accompanied by various side effects, while invasive surgical procedures increase the risk of infection and thrombosis. Consequently, identifying alternative new methods for OA treatment remains a formidable challenge. With advancements in responsive hydrogel drug delivery platforms, an increasing number of strategies have emerged to enhance OA treatment protocols. Injectable response hydrogel drug delivery platforms show many advantages in treating OA, including improved biocompatibility, prolonged drug release duration, elevated drug loading capacity and enhanced sensitivity. This article reviews the recent progress of injectable responsive hydrogel drug delivery platform for OA treatment over the past few years. These innovative methodologies present new strategies and directions for future OA treatment while summarizing a series of challenges faced during the clinical transformation of injectable response hydrogel drug delivery platforms. Overall, injectable responsive hydrogel drug delivery platforms show great potential in treating OA, especially regarding improving drug retention time and stimulus-responsive release at the lesion sites. These innovative methods provide new hope for future OA treatment and point the way for clinical applications. Full article
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