Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications: Latest Advances and Prospects

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 4632

Special Issue Editor

Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Maria - Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology (LabTec-Nano), Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
Interests: hydrogels; drug delivery; nanoparticles; films; skin delivery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogels can be defined as a three-dimensional network formed by natural or synthetic hydrophilic polymers, the main property of which is to absorb large amounts of water or biological fluids. Their biocompatibility with and similarity to the extracellular matrix make them promising materials for biomedical purposes. Recent advances in the study of hydrogels include the combination of polymers to improve performance, the association of nanocarriers with hydrogel matrices, and the functionalization of macromolecules to generate materials that are responsive to external stimuli. The development of innovative materials and formulations based on hydrogels is an emerging topic due to their promising applications. This Special Issue is intended to present the latest advances in the development of hydrogels and their biomedical applications, including drug delivery, scaffolds in tissue engineering, wound dressings, contact lenses, and biosensors, among others.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Letícia Cruz
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • hydrogels
  • drug delivery
  • scaffolds
  • wound healing
  • biopolymers
  • biomaterials
  • biocompatibility

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 4986 KiB  
Article
Development of Guar Gum Hydrogel Containing Sesamol-Loaded Nanocapsules Designed for Irritant Contact Dermatitis Treatment Induced by Croton Oil Application
by Vinicius Costa Prado, Kauani Moenke, Bárbara Felin Osmari, Natháli Schopf Pegoraro, Sara Marchesan Oliveira and Letícia Cruz
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(1), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15010285 - 14 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1685
Abstract
Irritant contact dermatitis is usually treated with corticosteroids, which cause expressive adverse effects. Sesamol is a phenolic compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study was designed to evaluate a hydrogel containing sesamol-loaded ethylcellulose nanocapsules for the treatment of irritant contact dermatitis. The [...] Read more.
Irritant contact dermatitis is usually treated with corticosteroids, which cause expressive adverse effects. Sesamol is a phenolic compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study was designed to evaluate a hydrogel containing sesamol-loaded ethylcellulose nanocapsules for the treatment of irritant contact dermatitis. The nanocapsules presented a size in the nanometric range, a negative zeta potential, a sesamol content close to the theoretical value (1 mg/mL), and a 65% encapsulation efficiency. Nanoencapsulation protected sesamol against UVC-induced degradation and increased the scavenging activity assessed by ABTS and DPPH radicals. The hydrogels were prepared by thickening the nanocapsule suspensions with guar gum (2.5%). The hydrogels maintained the nanometric size of the nanocapsules and a sesamol content of approximately 1 mg/g. The HET-CAM assay classified the hydrogels as nonirritating. The in vitro release of the hydrogel containing sesamol in the nanoencapsulated form demonstrated an initial burst effect followed by a prolonged sesamol release and a lower skin permeation in comparison with the hydrogel containing free sesamol. In addition, it exhibited the best anti-inflammatory effect in the irritant contact dermatitis model induced by croton oil, reducing ear edema and inflammatory cells infiltration, similar to dexamethasone (positive control). Therefore, the hydrogel containing sesamol in the nanoencapsulated form seemed to have a therapeutic potential in treating irritant contact dermatitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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Review

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37 pages, 3634 KiB  
Review
Status and Future Scope of Soft Nanoparticles-Based Hydrogel in Wound Healing
by Marcel Henrique Marcondes Sari, Alexandre de Fátima Cobre, Roberto Pontarolo and Luana Mota Ferreira
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(3), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15030874 - 08 Mar 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2441
Abstract
Wounds are alterations in skin integrity resulting from any type of trauma. The healing process is complex, involving inflammation and reactive oxygen species formation. Therapeutic approaches for the wound healing process are diverse, associating dressings and topical pharmacological agents with antiseptics, anti-inflammatory, and [...] Read more.
Wounds are alterations in skin integrity resulting from any type of trauma. The healing process is complex, involving inflammation and reactive oxygen species formation. Therapeutic approaches for the wound healing process are diverse, associating dressings and topical pharmacological agents with antiseptics, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial actions. Effective treatment must maintain occlusion and moisture in the wound site, suitable capacity for the absorption of exudates, gas exchange, and the release of bioactives, thus stimulating healing. However, conventional treatments have some limitations regarding the technological properties of formulations, such as sensory characteristics, ease of application, residence time, and low active penetration in the skin. Particularly, the available treatments may have low efficacy, unsatisfactory hemostatic performance, prolonged duration, and adverse effects. In this sense, there is significant growth in research focusing on improving the treatment of wounds. Thus, soft nanoparticles-based hydrogels emerge as promising alternatives to accelerate the healing process due to their improved rheological characteristics, increased occlusion and bioadhesiveness, greater skin permeation, controlled drug release, and a more pleasant sensory aspect in comparison to conventional forms. Soft nanoparticles are based on organic material from a natural or synthetic source and include liposomes, micelles, nanoemulsions, and polymeric nanoparticles. This scoping review describes and discusses the main advantages of soft nanoparticle-based hydrogels in the wound healing process. Herein, a state-of-the-art is presented by addressing general aspects of the healing process, current status and limitations of non-encapsulated drug-based hydrogels, and hydrogels formed by different polymers containing soft nanostructures for wound healing. Collectively, the presence of soft nanoparticles improved the performance of natural and synthetic bioactive compounds in hydrogels employed for wound healing, demonstrating the scientific advances obtained so far. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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