The Diels-Alder Cross-Linked Gelatin/Dextran Nanocomposite Hydrogels with Silver Nanoparticles for Wound Healing Applications: Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation.

Wound healing involves a sophisticated biological process that relies on ideal conditions to advance through various stages of repair. Modern wound dressings are designed to imitate the natural surroundings around cells and offer properties such as moisture regulation, strength, and antimicrobial defense to boost healing. A recent research project unveiled a new type of gelatin (Gel)/dextran (Dex) hydrogels, linked through Diels-Alder (D-A) reactions, loaded with silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) for cutting-edge wound treatment. Gel and Dex were chemically modified to form the hydrogels via the D-A reaction. The hydrogels were enriched with Ag-NPs at varying levels. Thorough analyses of the hydrogels using methods like NMR, FT-IR, and SEM were carried out to assess their structure and nanoparticle integration. Rheological tests displayed that the hydrogels had favorable mechanical attributes, particularly when Ag-NPs were included. The hydrogels demonstrated controlled swelling, responsiveness to pH changes, and were non-toxic. Testing against E. coli showcased the strong antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite hydrogels in a concentration-dependent manner. This investigation showcased the promise of these bioactive nanocomposite hydrogels in promoting speedy wound healing by maintaining a moist environment, offering an antimicrobial shield, and ensuring mechanical support at the wound site.

Exploring the Progress of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels: Synthesis, Characteristics, and Wide-Ranging Applications.

This comprehensive review delves into the world of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels, exploring their creation, characteristics, research methodologies, and uses. HA hydrogels stand out among natural polysaccharides due to their distinct features. Their exceptional biocompatibility makes them a top choice for diverse biomedical purposes, with a great ability to coexist harmoniously with living cells and tissues. Furthermore, their biodegradability permits their gradual breakdown by bodily enzymes, enabling the creation of temporary frameworks for tissue engineering endeavors. Additionally, since HA is a vital component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in numerous tissues, HA hydrogels can replicate the ECM's structure and functions. This mimicry is pivotal in tissue engineering applications by providing an ideal setting for cellular growth and maturation. Various cross-linking techniques like chemical, physical, enzymatic, and hybrid methods impact the mechanical strength, swelling capacity, and degradation speed of the hydrogels. Assessment tools such as rheological analysis, electron microscopy, spectroscopy, swelling tests, and degradation studies are employed to examine their attributes. HA-based hydrogels feature prominently in tissue engineering, drug distribution, wound recovery, ophthalmology, and cartilage mending. Crafting HA hydrogels enables the production of biomaterials with sought-after qualities, offering avenues for advancements in the realm of biomedicine.

Doxorubicin-loaded carboxymethyl cellulose/Starch/ZnO nanocomposite hydrogel beads as an anticancer drug carrier agent.

In this paper, nanocomposite hydrogel beads were prepared through combining carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), as well as physical cross-linking with FeCl3. The obtained nanocomposite hydrogel beads were used as a potential candidate for controlled release of anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). The nanocomposite hydrogel beads were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, UV-vis, SEM, EDX, TGA and DSC. In addition, gel content, swelling/de-swelling properties, and drug release of the samples were evaluated. The swelling and drug release profiles revealed that the amount of drug released and swelling of the hydrogels depended on the CMC content, pH, and ZnO nanoparticle content. Prolonged and more controlled drug releases were observed for ZnO nanoparticle containing CMC/Starch beads, which increased with the rise in ZnO nanoparticle content. The cytotoxicity of the samples was confirmed using human colon cancer cells (SW480).

Facile synthesis of chitosan/ZnO bio-nanocomposite hydrogel beads as drug delivery systems.

ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized in situ during the formation of physically cross-linked chitosan hydrogel beads using sodium tripolyphosphate as the cross-linker. The aim of the study was to investigate whether these nanocomposite beads have the potential to be used in drug delivery applications. The formation of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs) in the hydrogels was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy studies. SEM micrographs revealed the formation of ZnONPs with size range of 10-25 nm within the hydrogel matrix. Furthermore, the swelling and drug release properties of the beads were studied. The prepared nanocomposite hydrogels showed a pH sensitive swelling behavior. The ZnO nanocomposite hydrogels have rather higher swelling ratio in different aqueous solutions in comparison with neat hydrogel. In vitro drug release test was carried out to prove the effectiveness of this novel type of nanocomposite beads as a controlled drug delivery system. A prolonged and more controlled drug releases were observed for ZnONPs containing chitosan beads, which increased by the increase in ZnONPs content.

Synthesis and characterization of antibacterial carboxymethylcellulose/CuO bio-nanocomposite hydrogels.

In this study, carboxymethyl cellulose/CuO nanocomposite hydrogels have been synthesized through the in situ formation of CuO nanoparticles within swollen carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels. The aim of the study was to investigate whether these hydrogels have the potential to be used in antibacterial applications. The formation of CuO nanoparticles in the hydrogels was confirmed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy studies. In addition, swelling behavior of nanocomposite hydrogels was investigated in various pH values and salt solutions. Furthermore, the CuO nanocomposite hydrogels were tested for antibacterial activities. The antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite hydrogels was studied by inhibition zone method against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The nanocomposite hydrogels demonstrated excellent antibacterial effects. Therefore, the developed carboxymethyl cellulose/CuO nanocomposite hydrogels can be used effectively for biomedical application.

Synthesis and characterization of antibacterial carboxymethyl cellulose/ZnO nanocomposite hydrogels.

In this study, carboxymethyl cellulose/ZnO nanocomposite hydrogels have been synthesized through the in situ formation of ZnO nanoparticles within swollen carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels. The formation of ZnO nanoparticles in the hydrogels was confirmed using X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. SEM micrographs revealed the formation of ZnO nanoparticles with size range of 10-20 nm within the hydrogel matrix. The prepared nanocomposite hydrogels showed a pH and salt sensitive swelling behavior. The ZnO nanocomposite hydrogels have rather higher swelling in different aqueous solutions in comparison with neat hydrogel. The nanocomposite hydrogels demonstrated antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The developed carboxymethyl cellulose/ZnO nanocomposite hydrogels can be used effectively for biomedical application.