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Pharmaceuticals
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Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications
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Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2022) | Viewed by 35450

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Chun Gwon Park

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
Interests: biomaterials; drug delivery system; immunotherapy
Prof. Dr. Jung Seung Lee

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
Interests: tissue engineering; biomaterials; artificial organs; stem cells

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For many years, hydrogels have been the cornerstone of countless biomedical research. Since the groundbreaking introduction of cross-linked hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) hydrogel in 1960, synthetic and natural hydrogels have continued to expand their influence across other fields of research as well. Hydrogels consist of various tunable parameters, such as loading efficacy, stimuli responsiveness, hydrophobicity, and swelling properties, which make hydrogels typically applicable to most biomedical research. Today, there is a trend towards utilizing hydrogels as an interdisciplinary bridge across various biomedical fields including: pharmaceutical drug delivery, clinical therapies, surgeries, cosmetics, marketed products, and much more.

This Special Issue rides on this trend to highlight a myriad of novel hydrogels specifically tuned for biomedical applications. We invite both reviews and original articles that shed light on past challenges via the use of natural and/or synthetic hydrogels. Topics may include hydrogels as drug carriers, targeting moieties, regulatory platforms or enhancement of past therapies as well as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Any research that addresses our topic “Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications” is welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Chun Gwon Park
Prof. Dr. Jung Seung Lee
Guest Editors

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. Pharmaceuticals 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 2900 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

  • hydrogel
  • biomaterials
  • drug delivery
  • tissue engineering
  • immunotherapy

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 22181 KiB  
Article
Hyaluronic Acid and Radiofrequency in Patients with Urogenital Atrophy and Vaginal Laxity
by Piotr Kolczewski, Mirosław Parafiniuk, Piotr Zawodny, Rashad Haddad, Agnieszka Nalewczyńska, Agnieszka Kinga Kolasa, Barbara Wiszniewska, Sophie Menkes, Alexander Bader, Giorgio Stabile and Nicola Zerbinati
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(12), 1571; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15121571 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3138
Abstract
Vaginal laxity (VL) and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), as well as aesthetic changes in the vulvar skin, often occur together and cause physical, psychological, and functional problems for women and their partners. The current study evaluated the efficacy of a nonsurgical radiofrequency [...] Read more.
Vaginal laxity (VL) and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), as well as aesthetic changes in the vulvar skin, often occur together and cause physical, psychological, and functional problems for women and their partners. The current study evaluated the efficacy of a nonsurgical radiofrequency device (RF) procedure combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) injection into the skin of the labia majora on clinical, histological, and aesthetic levels. Twenty women with GSM and VL, aged between 36 and 72 (mean age 53.4), were treated with bipolar RF SECTUM, vaginal and vulvar application, as well as with a hyaluronic acid (HA) injection into the skin of the labia majora. The Vaginal Laxity Questionnaire (VLQ), Vaginal Health Index (VHI), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used to examine the clinical effects of the operations. The Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale was utilized to measure patient satisfaction. On a histochemical level, the concentrations of elastin and collagen in the vaginal wall and vulvar skin were examined. Results: There was significantly higher patient satisfaction and a considerable clinical improvement across all areas of analysis. On the histochemical level, elastin and collagen fiber concentration increased after the treatment protocol both in the vulvar skin and in the vaginal wall: elastin in the vaginal wall, 11.4%, and in the vulvar skin, 61%; collagen in the vaginal wall, 26%, and in the vulvar skin, 27%. The current study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of this nonsurgical RF procedure combined with a hyaluronic acid (HA) injection into the skin of the labia majora on clinical, histochemical, and aesthetic levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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21 pages, 8609 KiB  
Article
A Shape-Adaptive Gallic Acid Driven Multifunctional Adhesive Hydrogel Loaded with Scolopin2 for Wound Repair
by Huan Chen, Tingting Zheng, Chenyang Wu, Jinrui Wang, Fan Ye, Mengyao Cui, Shuhui Sun, Yun Zhang, Ying Li and Zhengqi Dong
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(11), 1422; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15111422 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2302
Abstract
Wound healing is one of the major challenges in the biomedical fields. The conventional single drug treatment has unsatisfactory efficacy, and the drug delivery effectiveness is restricted by the short retention on the wound. Herein, we develop a multifunctional adhesive hydrogel that can [...] Read more.
Wound healing is one of the major challenges in the biomedical fields. The conventional single drug treatment has unsatisfactory efficacy, and the drug delivery effectiveness is restricted by the short retention on the wound. Herein, we develop a multifunctional adhesive hydrogel that can realize robust adhesion, transdermal delivery, and combination therapy for wound healing. Multifunctional hydrogels (CS-GA-S) are mixed with chitosan-gallic acid (CS-GA), sodium periodate, and centipede peptide-scolopin2, which slowly releases scolopin2 in the layer of the dermis. The released scolopin2 induces the pro-angiogenesis of skin wounds and enables excellent antibacterial effects. Separately, GA as a natural reactive-oxygen-species-scavenger promotes antioxidation, and further enables excellent antibacterial effects and wet tissue adhesion due to a Schiff base and Michael addition reaction for accelerating wound healing. Once adhered to the wound, the precursor solution becomes both a physically and covalently cross-linked network hydrogel, which has potential advantages for wound healing with ease of use, external environment-isolating, and minimal tissue damage. The therapeutic effects of CS-GA-S on wound healing are demonstrated with the full thickness cutaneous wounds of a mouse model. The significant improvement of wound healing is achieved for mice treated with CS-GA-S. This preparation reduces wound system exposure, prolongs local drug residence time, and improves efficacy. Accordingly, with the incorporation of scolopin2 into the shape-adaptive CS-GA hydrogel, the composite hydrogel possesses multi-functions of mechanical adhesion, drug therapy, and skin wound healing. Overall, such an injectable or sprayable hydrogel plays an effective role in emergency wound treatment with the advantage of convenience and portability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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14 pages, 2825 KiB  
Article
HA PEGylated Filler in Association with an Infrared Energy Device for the Treatment of Facial Skin Aging: 150 Day Follow-Up Data Report
by Paweł Kubik, Jerzy Jankau, Raffaele Rauso, Hassan Galadari, Marina Protasoni, Wojciech Gruszczyński, Dariusz Grzanka, Marta Smolińska, Paulina Antosik, Maria-Luiza Piesiaków, Lidia Kodłubańska, Anna Zagajewska, Bartłomiej Łukasik, Giorgio Stabile and Nicola Zerbinati
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(11), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15111355 - 2 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2550
Abstract
Background: The face is the area most exposed to the normal course of skin aging, both intrinsically and extrinsically. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cellular and clinical response of a therapeutic protocol aimed at countering facial skin aging. Materials [...] Read more.
Background: The face is the area most exposed to the normal course of skin aging, both intrinsically and extrinsically. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cellular and clinical response of a therapeutic protocol aimed at countering facial skin aging. Materials and Methods: Twenty female patients with facial skin laxity and photodamage underwent combined therapy including mesotherapy using non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid with calcium hydroxyapatite and an infrared energy-based device treatment with subsequent implementation of PEG-cross-linked hyaluronic acid soft tissue fillers. To evaluate the benefits, patients underwent histological, immunological, and biomechanical evaluations before the treatment and at 21 and 150 days after the treatment. Results: The histological results at 21 days and 150 days after the procedure showed an increase in the number of fibroblasts and angiogenesis. As for the immunological aspect, it was shown that the treatment has an immunomodulating action, avoiding the activation of CD4 and CD8 cells. Biomechanical data showed that, at 150 days after treatment, the average changes in skin elasticity increased by 72% and the skin hydration increased by 49%. Conclusions: A combination of an infrared energy-based device treatment with both non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and novel PEG-cross-linked hyaluronic acid leads to numerous positive cutaneous changes after histological, immunological, and biomechanical evaluations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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26 pages, 5485 KiB  
Article
Study for Evaluation of Hydrogels after the Incorporation of Liposomes Embedded with Caffeic Acid
by Ioana Lavinia Dejeu, Laura Grațiela Vicaș, Lavinia Lia Vlaia, Tunde Jurca, Mariana Eugenia Mureșan, Annamaria Pallag, Georgeta Hermina Coneac, Ioana Viorica Olariu, Ana Maria Muț, Anca Salomea Bodea, George Emanuiel Dejeu, Octavian Adrian Maghiar and Eleonora Marian
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(2), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15020175 - 31 Jan 2022
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3842
Abstract
Caffeic acid (CA), a phenolic acid, is a powerful antioxidant with proven effectiveness. CA instability gives it limited use, so encapsulation in polymeric nanomaterials has been used to solve the problem but also to obtain topical hydrogel formulas. Two different formulas of caffeic [...] Read more.
Caffeic acid (CA), a phenolic acid, is a powerful antioxidant with proven effectiveness. CA instability gives it limited use, so encapsulation in polymeric nanomaterials has been used to solve the problem but also to obtain topical hydrogel formulas. Two different formulas of caffeic acid liposomes were incorporated into three different formulas of carbopol-based hydrogels. A Franz diffusion cell system was used to evaluate the release of CA from hydrogels. For the viscoelastic measurements of the hydrogels, the equilibrium flow test was used. The dynamic tests were examined at rest by three oscillating tests: the amplitude test, the frequency test and the flow and recovery test. These carbopol gels have a high elasticity at flow stress even at very low polymer concentrations. In the analysis of the texture, the increase of the polymer concentration from 0.5% to 1% determined a linear increase of the values of the textural parameters for hydrogels. The textural properties of 1% carbopol-based hydrogels were slightly affected by the addition of liposomal vesicle dispersion and the firmness and shear work increased with increasing carbomer concentration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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Review

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44 pages, 18162 KiB  
Review
Current and Future Prospective of Injectable Hydrogels—Design Challenges and Limitations
by Saud Almawash, Shaaban K. Osman, Gulam Mustafa and Mohamed A. El Hamd
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(3), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15030371 - 18 Mar 2022
Cited by 59 | Viewed by 10170
Abstract
Injectable hydrogels (IHs) are smart biomaterials and are the most widely investigated and versatile technologies, which can be either implanted or inserted into living bodies with minimal invasion. Their unique features, tunable structure and stimuli-responsive biodegradation properties make these IHs promising in many [...] Read more.
Injectable hydrogels (IHs) are smart biomaterials and are the most widely investigated and versatile technologies, which can be either implanted or inserted into living bodies with minimal invasion. Their unique features, tunable structure and stimuli-responsive biodegradation properties make these IHs promising in many biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, regenerative medicines, implants, drug/protein/gene delivery, cancer treatment, aesthetic corrections and spinal fusions. In this review, we comprehensively analyze the current development of several important types of IHs, including all those that have received FDA approval, are under clinical trials or are available commercially on the market. We also analyze the structural chemistry, synthesis, bonding, chemical/physical crosslinking and responsive release in association with current prospective research. Finally, we also review IHs’ associated future prospects, hurdles, limitations and challenges in their development, fabrication, synthesis, in situ applications and regulatory affairs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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Graphical abstract

25 pages, 4308 KiB  
Review
Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel for Tissue Engineering Applications—A Review on Material Modifications
by Sasinan Bupphathong, Carlos Quiroz, Wei Huang, Pei-Feng Chung, Hsuan-Ya Tao and Chih-Hsin Lin
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15020171 - 29 Jan 2022
Cited by 57 | Viewed by 12246
Abstract
To recreate or substitute tissue in vivo is a complicated endeavor that requires biomaterials that can mimic the natural tissue environment. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is created through covalent bonding of naturally derived polymer gelatin and methacrylic groups. Due to its biocompatibility, GelMA receives [...] Read more.
To recreate or substitute tissue in vivo is a complicated endeavor that requires biomaterials that can mimic the natural tissue environment. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is created through covalent bonding of naturally derived polymer gelatin and methacrylic groups. Due to its biocompatibility, GelMA receives a lot of attention in the tissue engineering research field. Additionally, GelMA has versatile physical properties that allow a broad range of modifications to enhance the interaction between the material and the cells. In this review, we look at recent modifications of GelMA with naturally derived polymers, nanomaterials, and growth factors, focusing on recent developments for vascular tissue engineering and wound healing applications. Compared to polymers and nanoparticles, the modifications that embed growth factors show better mechanical properties and better cell migration, stimulating vascular development and a structure comparable to the natural-extracellular matrix. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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