Tissue Eng Regen Med.  2018 Oct;15(5):513-520. 10.1007/s13770-018-0146-6.

Electrostatically Interactive Injectable Hydrogels for Drug Delivery

• Seo JY
• Lee B
• Kang TW
• Noh JH
• Kim MJ
• Ji YB
• Ju HJ
• Min BH
• Kim MS

• KMID: 2422667
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-018-0146-6

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Several injectable hydrogels have been developed extensively for a broad range of biomedical applications. Injectable hydrogels forming in situ through the change in external stimuli have the distinct properties of easy management and minimal invasiveness, and thus provide the advantage of bypassing surgical procedures for administration resulting in better patient compliance.
METHODS
The injectable in situ-forming hydrogels can be formed irreversibly or reversibly under physiological stimuli. Among several external stimuli that induce formation of hydrogels in situ, in this review, we focused on the electrostatic interactions as the most simple and interesting stimulus.
RESULTS
Currently, numerous polyelectrolytes have been reported as potential electrostatically interactive in situ-forming hydrogels. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the rapidly developing electrostatically interactive in situ-forming hydrogels, which are produced by various anionic and cationic polyelectrolytes such as chitosan, celluloses, and alginates, has been outlined and summarized. Further, their biomedical applications have also been discussed.
CONCLUSION
The review concludes with perspectives on the future of electrostatically interactive in situ-forming hydrogels.

Keyword

Electrostatic interactions; In situ-forming hydrogels; Injectable; Drug delivery; Regenerative medicine

MeSH Terms

Alginates
Chitosan
Hydrogel*
Hydrogels*
Patient Compliance
Regenerative Medicine
Alginates
Chitosan
Hydrogel
Hydrogels