Gels最新文献

{"title":"Hydroxyproline-Modified Chitosan-Based Hydrogel Dressing Incorporated with Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Promotes Wound Healing Through Immunomodulation.","authors":"Peng Ding, Yanfang Sun, Guohua Jiang, Lei Nie","doi":"10.3390/gels11090732","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11090732","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Immunoregulation is an emerging treatment strategy to promote wound healing by modulating the local immune system at the wound site. In this study, an extracellular matrix biomimetic and polysaccharide-based hydrogel was engineered to regulate the wound immune environment through Michael-type addition between maleimidyl pullulan and chitosan modified with hydroxyproline. The proposed hydrogel exhibited favorable injectable and self-healing properties, which facilitated the full coverage of irregularly shaped wounds. A natural polyphenol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), was incorporated into hydrogels, which thereby exhibited excellent biocompatibility, good reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging ability, anti-inflammatory activity, and antibacterial properties against <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>E. coli</i>. Furthermore, evaluations of a full-thickness skin defect mice model showed that the hydrogel with EGCG effectively alleviated the inflammatory response by reducing pro-inflammatory cellular infiltration and down-regulating the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, while up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Notably, a faster wound healing rate was also achieved by the better promotion effect of the hydrogel on increasing the formation of re-epithelialization, granulation tissue generation, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis. Therefore, our immunoregulatory strategy showed great potential in the design of biomaterials for wound management.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12469305/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gel-Based Marangoni Actuators: Mechanisms, Material Designs, Driving Modes, and Cross-Scale Applications.","authors":"Xuehao Feng, Zhizheng Gao, Wenguang Yang, Shuliang Zhu","doi":"10.3390/gels11090730","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11090730","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Marangoni actuators, rooted in interfacial tension gradients, stand as a significant advancement in micro-nano engineering. This review synthesizes their core mechanisms, which hinge on establishing gradients via temperature or solute concentration, with structural designs facilitating directional motion. Key actuation modalities, encompassing light, chemical, and electric driving, exhibit distinct characteristics in controllability and responsiveness. Their applications span cross-scale scenarios, from microscopic operations to macroscopic functional implementations. Current challenges involve optimizing performance and enhancing multi-field coordination, while future directions focus on advanced materials, intelligent regulation, and scalable fabrication. These actuators hold substantial potential in interdisciplinary fields, such as biomedicine, environmental engineering, and microfluidics.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12469534/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Transglutaminase and Epigallocatechin Gallate on the Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Fish Skin Gelatin from <i>Takifugu rubripes</i>.","authors":"Lingyu Han, Yulong Zhang, Bing Hu, Ying Zhang, Jijuan Cao, Jixin Yang, Saphwan Al-Assaf","doi":"10.3390/gels11090725","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11090725","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fish skin gelatin (FG) has garnered considerable attention as a potential substitute for mammalian gelatin. In this study, <i>Takifugu rubripes</i> skin gelatin was chemically modified using transglutaminase (TG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Subsequently, the rheological, structural, and physicochemical properties of FG modified with varying concentrations of TG and EGCG were systematically examined and compared. As the concentrations of TG and EGCG increased, more extensive interactions occurred in FG, leading to a significant enhancement of gelatin properties. Following modification, the molecular weight of FG proteins increased, and this was accompanied by enhanced surface hydrophobicity and gel strength. Rheological analysis further demonstrated that the viscosity of FG modified with TG and EGCG was higher than that of unmodified FG and was positively correlated with the treatment concentrations of TG and EGCG. Additionally, the results indicated that the effect of TG modification was more pronounced than that of EGCG modification. Overall, this study demonstrates that both TG and EGCG modifications can effectively overcome the inherent limitations of fish skin gelatin, with TG showing superior efficiency as a cross-linking agent. The enhanced thermal stability, gel strength, and rheological properties achieved through these interactions significantly expand the potential applications of fish gelatin in the food industry, making it a more viable alternative to mammalian gelatin.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12470066/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nanocomposite Cryogels Based on Chitosan for Efficient Removal of a Triphenylmethane Dye from Aqueous Systems.","authors":"Maria Marinela Lazar, Claudiu-Augustin Ghiorghita, Daniela Rusu, Maria Valentina Dinu","doi":"10.3390/gels11090729","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11090729","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This work addresses the environmental challenge represented by persistent triphenylmethane dyes in aquatic systems through the development of chitosan (CS)-zeolite nanocomposite cryogels for the adsorption of chrome azurol S (CAS), as model dye. Nanocomposite cryogels were prepared via cryogelation at -20 °C with systematic variation in cross-linker concentration and zeolite content to modulate the network architecture and sorption performance. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization (SEM, EDX, FTIR) demonstrated that an intermediate cross-linker content (7.5 wt.% GA) combined with moderate zeolite loading (20 wt.%) yielded cryogels with the highest gel fraction yield and a homogeneous, highly interconnected macroporous structure. Swelling experiments at pH 1.2 revealed rapid water uptake equilibrium within 10 min, whereas adsorption isotherm analysis indicated that CAS sorption followed the Freundlich model, consistent with multilayer physical adsorption. The highest CAS adsorption capacity was achieved by CSGA5Z40 (250.81 mg g^-1), indicating that low cross-linking combined with high zeolite loading maximizes uptake. These findings demonstrate that chitosan-zeolite nanocomposite cryogels are promising, reusable, and tunable adsorbents for sustainable removal of persistent dyes from wastewater.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12470090/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Click Chemistry-Based Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering.","authors":"Soheil Sojdeh, Amirhosein Panjipour, Amal Yaghmour, Zohreh Arabpour, Ali R Djalilian","doi":"10.3390/gels11090724","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11090724","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Click chemistry has become a powerful and flexible approach for designing hydrogels used in tissue engineering thanks to its high specificity, fast reaction rates, and compatibility with biological systems. In this review, we introduce the core principles of click chemistry, including efficiency, orthogonality, and modularity, and highlight the main types of reactions commonly used in hydrogel formation, such as azide-alkyne c-cloadditions, thiol-ene/yne reactions, Diels-Alder cycloadditions, and tetrazine-norbornene couplings. These chemistries allow researchers to create covalently crosslinked hydrogels that are injectable, responsive to environmental stimuli, biodegradable, or multifunctional. We also explore strategies to enhance bioactivity, such as incorporating peptides, growth factors, or extracellular matrix components, and enabling precise spatial and temporal control over biological cues. Click-based hydrogels have shown promise across a wide range of tissue engineering applications, from cartilage and skin repair to neural regeneration, corneal healing, and cardiovascular scaffolds, as well as in 3D bioprinting technologies. Despite the many advantages of click chemistry such as mild reaction conditions and customizable material properties, some challenges remain, including concerns around copper toxicity, the cost of specialized reagents, and scalability. Finally, we discuss the status of clinical translation, regulatory considerations, and future directions, including integration with advanced bio fabrication methods, the design of dual-click systems, and the emerging role of in vivo click chemistry in creating next-generation biomaterials.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12469877/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent Advances in Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Biomedical Therapeutics.","authors":"Hyun Jong Lee","doi":"10.3390/gels11090733","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11090733","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hydrogels represent a pivotal biomaterial platform that has fundamentally transformed approaches in tissue engineering and biomedical therapeutics [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12470088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparation of Curcumin Nanocomposite Drug Delivery System and Its Therapeutic Efficacy on Skin Injury.","authors":"Ye Jin, Yuzhou Liu, Ying Wang, Xintong Liu, Qixuan Yu, Da Liu, Ning Cui","doi":"10.3390/gels11090727","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11090727","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Background:&lt;/b&gt; Skin injuries, such as chronic wounds and inflammatory skin diseases, often face limitations in treatment efficacy due to the low efficiency of transdermal drug delivery and insufficient local concentrations. &lt;i&gt;Curcumin&lt;/i&gt; (CUR), a natural compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has demonstrated potential in the repair of skin damage; however, its clinical application is hindered by its physicochemical characteristics. This study constructs a novel nanocomposite drug delivery system: CUR-loaded micellar nanocomposite gel (CUR-M-DMNs-Gel). A composite system is used to achieve the efficient solubilization and enhanced transdermal permeation of &lt;i&gt;CUR&lt;/i&gt;, thereby providing a novel formulation approach for the treatment of skin diseases. &lt;b&gt;Methods:&lt;/b&gt; CUR-loaded micellar (CUR-M) utilizes CUR as the core active ingredient, which possesses multiple pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. TPGS serves as a micellar carrier that not only enhances the solubility and stability of CUR through its amphiphilic structure but also facilitates drug absorption and transport within the body. In dissolvable microneedles (DMNs), PVP K30 forms a stable three-dimensional network structure through entanglement of polymer chains, ensuring sufficient mechanical strength for effective penetration of the skin barrier. Meanwhile, PVP K90, with its higher molecular weight, enhances the backing's support and toughness to prevent needle breakage during application. The incorporation of hyaluronic acid (HA) improves both the moisture retention and adhesion properties at the needle tips, ensuring gradual dissolution and release of loaded CUR-M within the skin. In CUR-loaded micellar gel (CUR-M-Gel), PVP K30 increases both adhesive and cohesive forces in the gel through chain entanglement and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Tartaric acid precisely regulates pH levels to adjust crosslinking density; glycerol provides a long-lasting moisturizing environment for the gel; aluminum chloride enhances mechanical stability and controlled drug-release capabilities; NP-700 optimizes dispersion characteristics and compatibility within the system. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; In vitro experiments demonstrated that the CUR-M-DMNs-Gel composite system exhibited enhanced transdermal penetration, with a cumulative transdermal efficiency significantly surpassing that of single-component formulations. In the mouse skin defect model, CUR-M-DMNs-Gel facilitated collagen deposition and effectively inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β). In the mouse skin photoaging model, CUR-M-DMNs-Gel markedly reduced dermal thickness, alleviated damage to elastic fibers, and suppressed inflammatory responses. &lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; The CUR-M-DMNs-Gel system can enhance wound healing through subcutaneous localization, achieving long-term sustained efficacy. This innovative approach offers new insights into ","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12469627/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of the Growth of Hydrogel Applications in Agriculture: A Review.","authors":"Carolina Buitrago-Arias, Piedad Gañán-Rojo, Mabel Torres-Taborda, Luisa Perdomo-Villar, Catalina Álvarez-López, Natalia Jaramillo-Quiceno, Gustavo Adolfo Hincapié-Llanos","doi":"10.3390/gels11090731","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11090731","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Feeding a growing population under the pressures of climate change requires solutions that safeguard yields while strengthening agricultural resilience. Integrated Crop Management (ICM)-which combines precise fertilization, efficient water use, and targeted pest control-offers a promising framework. Hydrogels, with their water retention and controlled release properties, can enhance ICM by improving fertilizer efficiency, reducing water loss, and supporting soil health. Despite extensive research, their optimal use in agriculture remains unclear, and limitations continue to restrict large-scale adoption. To address this gap, this study applies the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology alongside bibliometric analysis to examine hydrogel applications in ICM from 2000 to 2024. Ninety Scopus-indexed publications were analyzed across four domains: pesticides, nutritional growth inputs, soil conditioners, and bioactive substances. The results reveal a marked increase in hydrogel structural complexity, greater diversity in characterization methods, ongoing reliance on high-impact pesticides despite advances in bio-based hydrogels, and persistent gaps in assessing environmental impacts and regulatory compliance. These findings underscore the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to translate hydrogel research into effective, sustainable agricultural practices under changing climatic conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12469933/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable Durian Rind Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Poly(vinyl) Alcohol Hydrogels Synthesis for Enhancing Crosslinking and Release Kinetics Efficiency.","authors":"Kanticha Pratinthong, Rangsan Panyathip, Sarinthip Thanakkasaranee, Kittisak Jantanasakulwong, Wirongrong Tongdeesoontorn, Duangjai Noiwan, Thomas Karbowiak, Chitsiri Rachtanapun, Pornchai Rachtanapun","doi":"10.3390/gels11090728","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11090728","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study developed hydrogels from durian rind-derived carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC_d) blended with poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA) for biomedical applications. The influence of NaOH concentration (10-60% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i>) on the degree of substitution (DS) of CMC_d and the crosslinking properties of the resulting hydrogels was examined. Durian rind, a biodegradable and renewable resource, was transformed into CMC_d with DS values ranging from 0.17 to 0.94. The highest yield (230.96%) was achieved using 30% NaOH (CMC_d-30). This CMC_d-30 was combined with PVA and crosslinked using citric acid to form a hydrogel with maximum crosslinking efficiency (86.16%). The resulting CMC_d-30/PVA hydrogel exhibited a high swelling ratio (125.54%), reflecting its superior water absorption and functional group availability-key traits for biomedical use. Methylene blue (MB) release from the hydrogel extended up to 1440 min, confirming its drug delivery potential. Overall, the CMC_d-30/PVA hydrogel demonstrated promising biocompatibility potential and performance, making it a promising candidate for wound dressings and controlled drug delivery systems. This work highlights the potential of agricultural waste valorization in developing sustainable and efficient biomaterials for pharmaceutical and medical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12469986/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fish Oil Oleogels with Wax and Fatty Acid Gelators: Effects on Microstructure, Thermal Behaviour, Viscosity, and Oxidative Stability.","authors":"Le Thuy Truong, Wilhelm Robert Glomm, Peter Patrick Molesworth","doi":"10.3390/gels11090723","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11090723","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Encapsulation of fish oil within oleogels can potentially prevent oxidation and enable its use in food with programmable release within the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we report on the formation of oleogels from two different fish oils-salmon oil (SO) and cod liver oil (CLO)-using different concentrations of either rice bran wax (RBW) or myristic acid (MA) as gelators. The gels were assessed with respect to their structural, thermal, viscosity, digestive, and oxidative properties. Polarized light microscopy (POM) revealed that RBW consistently produced dense, interconnected crystalline networks across both oils, while MA formed larger, spherulitic crystals that were more sensitive to the oil type. This was further supported by time-lapse imaging, showing faster crystal growth of MA in cod liver oil. Viscosity studies indicate that the molecular weight and concentration of gelator, as well as the type of fish oil (SO vs. CLO), significantly impact the shear stability of the oleogels. Thermal and viscosity analyses confirmed that RBW-based oleogels exhibited higher crystallization temperatures and stronger viscoelastic behaviour. Based on oxidative stability measurements-as measured by peroxide value (PV) analysis-encapsulation within oleogels does not lead to significant oxidation of the fish oils and also attenuates further oxidation upon storage. The fish oil oleogels were stable when exposed to either simulated gastric or intestinal fluids (SGF and SIF, respectively), but decomposed after sequential exposure first to SGF and then to SIF. These findings could broaden the range of food products which can be fortified with fish oils.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12470058/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}