{"title":"Engineered hydrogels for gastrointestinal therapeutics: Preclinical breakthroughs and clinical translation barriers.","authors":"Peng-Wei Xu, Miao Yu, Zheng-Han Xiao, Rui Chen, Xue-Yan Zhang","doi":"10.1177/08853282251366027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282251366027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hydrogels are widely regarded as pivotal biomaterials in modern biomedical applications. Their excellent biocompatibility, controllable degradation rates, and responsiveness to environmental stimuli make them especially valuable in the development of innovative strategies for disease management. Their unique advantages demonstrate significant potential for advancing targeted drug delivery, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and regenerative medicine applications. Among digestive disorders, gastrointestinal (GI) conditions present major clinical challenges owing to their substantial global prevalence and corresponding healthcare burdens. Although hydrogel-based platforms for GI applications have advanced significantly, their clinical translation remains limited. Major barriers include material-related constraints, challenges in in vivo application, difficulties in large-scale manufacturing, and complex regulatory requirements. This review comprehensively analyzes advances in hydrogel-based therapeutic approaches for GI disorders over the past 5 years. While highlighting persistent challenges in clinical translation, it proposes new research perspectives and potential solutions for disease management in this field.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282251366027"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144955278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dongping Chen, Qingfa Liu, Lu Yang, Can Chen, Jing Zhou, Jianmin Xiao
{"title":"Biodegradable poly(CL-co-TOSUO)/curcumin membrane: Biocompatibility and IL-6 suppression in atherosclerosis-relevant macrophage inflammation.","authors":"Dongping Chen, Qingfa Liu, Lu Yang, Can Chen, Jing Zhou, Jianmin Xiao","doi":"10.1177/08853282251369236","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08853282251369236","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Atherosclerotic plaque instability, driven by macrophage-derived foam cells and exacerbated by interleukin-6 (IL-6), necessitates localized anti-inflammatory strategies. To address this, we developed curcumin-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone-co-4-ethylenediol ketal-ε-caprolactone) (PCT) membranes via electrospinning, characterizing their sustained drug release, biodegradability, and morphology through SEM. Comprehensive in vitro assessments included endothelial/macrophage viability assays, hemolysis testing, foam cell modeling using Ox-LDL (80 μg/mL for 48 h, optimized for IL-6 upregulation), and inflammatory cytokine quantification (IL-6/TNF-α/IFN-γ) via RT-qPCR. Subcutaneous implantation in rats enabled histological evaluation via HE staining and IL-6 immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrated that curcumin-PCT membranes exhibited sustained drug release and biodegradability while maintaining exceptional hemocompatibility and endothelial safety. The membrane extracts significantly inhibited macrophage activity and downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, with IL-6 suppression being the most pronounced. In vivo analyses corroborated these findings, showing reduced leukocyte infiltration and attenuated IL-6 expression compared to poly(ε-caprolactone) controls. Collectively, this study establishes curcumin-loaded PCT as a biocompatible platform with targeted efficacy against macrophage-driven vascular inflammation.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282251369236"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144882868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nayana E Subhash, Meghana Prabhu, Manali Hazarika, Shailaja S, Sulatha V Bhandary, Bharath Raja Guru
{"title":"Advances in the management of ocular anterior segment diseases using biomaterials-based drug delivery systems.","authors":"Nayana E Subhash, Meghana Prabhu, Manali Hazarika, Shailaja S, Sulatha V Bhandary, Bharath Raja Guru","doi":"10.1177/08853282251369229","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282251369229","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The eye is an essential sense organ and drug delivery to the eye is a challenging task due to protective barriers that hinder drug penetration. Over 90 percent of treatments for eye diseases are topical, but frequent administration over extended periods can lead to toxicity and compliance issues. Over the years, extensive research has been aimed at developing drug delivery systems that enhance drug bioavailability at the target site while minimizing side effects. Innovative drug carrier systems have been researched and developed to extend retention time, decrease administration frequency, improve therapeutic efficacy, and ensure biocompatibility. In this article, we delve into the various ocular barriers affecting drug delivery and provide an overview of the utilization of biomaterials and nanotechnology in ocular drug delivery. We explore its applications in the treatment and management of various diseases affecting the anterior segment of the eye.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282251369229"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144855245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigation of calvarial bone regeneration in a rat model using three-dimensional polycaprolactone/carboxymethyl chitosan nano composite scaffolds containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles along with the icariin and atorvastatin synthesized by the freeze-casting method.","authors":"Nadia Sadeghi, Fereshteh Shanei, Abouzar Moradi, Atefeh Shamosi, Sepehr Zamani, Majid Salehi","doi":"10.1177/08853282251369228","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282251369228","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although autografts and allografts remain common for bone defect repair, they entail donor-site morbidity, limited availability, and potential immune rejection. The development of tissue engineering has provided a potential solution to overcome these and facilitate effective bone regeneration. Extensive research has confirmed the osteogenic potential of bioactive molecules like Atorvastatin (ATV) and Icariin (ICA). But despite the increasing body of evidence supporting their individual merits, few studies have investigated the synergistic integration of these materials in Nanocomposite scaffolds. A novel three-dimensional scaffold composed of polycaprolactone (PCL), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCs), and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA), co-loaded with Icariin and Atorvastatin, and fabricated using the freeze-casting technique, is described. This study aimed to evaluate the scaffold's effectiveness in promoting calvarial bone regeneration in Wistar rats, contributing to the advancement of biomaterials in bone tissue engineering. Scaffolds containing PCL/CMCs/nHA with 0.1% ICA and 0.1% ATV were fabricated using the freeze-casting method. In vitro assessments were conducted to evaluate the biomechanical and physiological properties of the scaffolds. In vivo experiments involved implanting the scaffolds into calvarial bone defects in six groups of Wistar rats. After 12 weeks, histological analysis was performed to assess bone regeneration, including fibrous tissue formation, bone formation, osteon development, and osteoblast cell numbers and fibroblast cell numbers. After 72 h of incubation, the PCL/CMCs/nHA/ATO/ICA scaffold significantly enhanced cell viability compared to other groups, however, the differences observed between the other groups were not statistically significant. In vivo, results showed significantly greater bone formation, osteon development, and osteoblast numbers in the PCL/CMCs/nHA/ATO/ICA group than in the negative and other groups. The PCL/CMCs/nHA/ATO/ICA scaffold demonstrated superior bone regeneration outcomes, showing comparable performance to autografts in terms of new bone tissue formation, osteon structure, and 72-h cell viability, suggesting its potential as a viable alternative in bone tissue engineering.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282251369228"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144846619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"<i>In vitro</i>, <i>ex vivo</i>, and <i>in vivo</i> evaluation of polysaccharide based thermo-sensitive <i>in situ</i> gel for the treatment of glaucoma.","authors":"Sonali Mandal, Nihar Ranjan Das, Kaushik Mukherjee, Tapan Kumar Giri","doi":"10.1177/08853282251369232","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282251369232","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>One of the disadvantages of traditional ophthalmic formulations is their short residence time in the eye. An <i>in situ</i> gel is recommended as a remedy, as it can be converted into a gel upon contact with the eye and adhere for an extended period. Tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) is non thermo-sensitive and possesses the necessary properties to be used as a vehicle for administering medication to the eye. However, the administration of medication into the eyes through TSP based <i>in situ</i> gel has not yet been studied. <i>N</i>-isopropyl acrylamide was grafted onto TSP to make it temperature sensitive. Then, a TSP-based thermo-sensitive <i>in situ</i> gel-forming solution loaded with dorzolamide hydrochloride (2% w/v) was developed and evaluated through <i>in vitro</i>, <i>ex vivo</i>, and <i>in vivo</i> tests. The <i>in situ gel</i> forming solution turns into a gel at 37°C. The safety and efficacy of the formulation were confirmed through an <i>in vivo</i> study on rabbit eyes with induced glaucoma. The findings indicate that the <i>in situ</i> gel significantly reduced intraocular pressure (IOP), with effects comparable to those of marketed eye drops.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282251369232"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144835191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A novel 3D-printed silk fibroin/hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose scaffold with good biocompatibility and controllable degradation <i>in vivo</i>.","authors":"Nongping Zhong, Liuxue Du, Yelong Bai, Zhongchun Chen, Lihui Cai, Zhengzhong Shao, Xia Zhao","doi":"10.1177/08853282251365812","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282251365812","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this study, novel silk (SF)-fibroin based scaffolds were fabricated via 3D printing of a thixotropic SF/hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) hydrogel. Two different concentrations of 3D printed SF/HPMC scaffolds (20 wt% and 30 wt%) were implanted subcutaneously in SD rats for 24 weeks to investigate <i>in vivo</i> degradation and biocompatibility. Scaffold morphology, tissue ingrowth (collagen fibers, blood vessels), and local inflammatory responses were assessed using SEM, histology (HE, Masson staining), immunohistochemistry (CD31, CD68), and RT-qPCR (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, TGF-β1 mRNA). Results showed that no purulent secretions were found around the two scaffolds during implantation. Collagen fibers, blood vessels and other tissues could grow into the scaffolds after implantation. The number of collagen fibers and CD31-positive vascular endothelial cells in the 20 wt% SF/HPMC scaffolds were greater than that in the 30 wt% SF/HPMC scaffolds. SEM detection showed the pore structure in the cross section of 20 wt% SF/HPMC scaffolds began to collapse at 12 weeks; No obvious collapse of the pore structure was found in the cross section of the 30 wt% SF/HPMC scaffolds during the period of implantation. Mechanical properties test showed that the compressive modulus of 20 wt% SF/HPMC scaffolds decreased significantly at 12 weeks and was lower than that at the pre-implantation. The mechanical properties of the 30 wt% SF/HPMC scaffolds remained relatively stable, and the mechanical properties were slightly higher at 24 weeks than that before implantation. Both scaffolds did not cause severe inflammatory reactions during the degradation process, and their structures could allow the growth of blood vessels, collagen fibers and other tissues. The degradability was correlated to the concentrations of SF/HPMC and insights gained in this study can serve as a guide to match desired degradation behavior with specific applications for the 3D printed SF/HPMC scaffold.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282251365812"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144768677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Analysis of foreign body response and systemic toxicity of additively manufactured nanocellulose reinforced alginate gelatin-based scaffolds with interconnected 3D porous structure.","authors":"Sulob Roy Chowdhury, Bikramjit Basu","doi":"10.1177/08853282251330744","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08853282251330744","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The last two decaes have witnessed significant efforts to develop gelatin/alginate based scaffolds using variants of 3D printing techniques. However, their biocompatibility for regenerating complex soft tissues remains insufficiently explored. Addressing this gap, we fabricated 3D-printed alginate-gelatin (3A5G) and nanocellulose-reinforced (3A5G1C) hydrogel scaffolds with clinically relevant dimensions (15 mm diameter, 5 mm height) and the host tissue responses were critically analyzed. The distinct advantages of nanocellulose in modulating mechanical strength, viscoelasticity, swelling, and degradation characteristics were established in our prior studies. This investigation aimed to comprehensively evaluate the foreign body response of these scaffolds in a rat model. The animals exhibited healthy metabolic activity, evidenced by progressive weight gain, localized tissue healing, and normal mobility over 30 days. Histological analyses could not reveal any adverse immune reaction at 7- or 30-days, post-implantation. Hematological and serum biochemical assessments indicated a progression from acute (7 days) to sub-acute (30 days) inflammation, following subcutaneous implantation, without any signature of systemic toxicity. Immune marker evaluation (TNF-α, CD-8, CD-68, COX-2, IL-6) confirmed the absence of pathological immune responses, even with nanocellulose incorporation. Immunohistochemical analysis using CD31 staining demonstrated enhanced vascularization in nanocellulose-reinforced scaffolds at both 7 and 30 days. The absence of systemic toxicity from scaffold degradation products and the favorable biocompatibility outcomes underline the potential of these hydrogel scaffolds for soft tissue regeneration. The incorporation of nanocellulose further enhanced the scaffolds' functional performance, particularly in promoting vascularization, positioning them as promising candidates for complex tissue engineering applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"192-217"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143772428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Selenium nanoparticles and paclitaxel co-delivery by a PCL based nanofibrous scaffold to enhance melanoma therapy.","authors":"Maryam Doostan, Ata'ollah Rahmani Azar, Hassan Maleki","doi":"10.1177/08853282251330724","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08853282251330724","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The incidence of skin cancer has increased significantly in recent decades, highlighting the need for more effective treatments due to the limitations of traditional approaches. This study focused on creating a poly (ε-caprolactone) and chitosan (PCL/CS) nanofibrous scaffold loaded with selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) and paclitaxel (PTX) to inhibit melanoma cell growth. The synthesized Se NPs, characterized by their uniform spherical shape and nano-scale size (∼120 nm), were incorporated into the scaffold. Then, the Se NPs and PTX were concurrently loaded into PCL/CS nanofibers at 5 wt%, which resulted in fibers with an average diameter of 253 ± 35 nm, presenting a ribbon-like morphology and absence of droplets/beads. The results indicated a high fluid absorption capacity, a wettability and high tensile strength of the produced scaffold. Moreover, the controlled release of the loaded compounds was provided over several days. Remarkably, high toxicity (>90%) and higher levels of apoptosis (>85%) were observed in A375 melanoma cells treated with the PTX-Se NPs PCL/CS scaffold. Moreover, the assessment of fibroblast growth and hemolysis confirmed the scaffold's high level of biocompatibility. The PTX-Se NPs PCL/CS nanofibers exhibit favorable properties and strong anti-tumor efficacy, making them a promising scaffold for localized and selective chemotherapy in anti-melanoma treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"165-180"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143730060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of processing conditions on the physical-chemical and mechanical properties of chitosan-alginate polyelectrolyte complex films for potential wound dressing application.","authors":"Andressa de Espíndola Sobczyk, Pietra Ferreria Aguiar, Débora Jung Luvizetto Faccin, Nilo Sérgio Medeiros Cardozo, Isabel Cristina Tessaro","doi":"10.1177/08853282251334472","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08853282251334472","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The combination of chitosan and alginate leads to the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) that have been mainly used for applications such as wound dressings in biomedical areas. However, processing conditions can affect the resulting complex structure, influencing the final material properties. This work aims to evaluate the influence of processing conditions on the physical-chemical and mechanical properties of chitosan-alginate PEC films for wound dressing applications. The study was carried out using a Box-Behnken design, with controlled variables including pH, agitation speed, amounts of crosslinker and plasticizer, and the type of acid used in chitosan solubilization. Response variables were thickness, liquid absorption capacity, water vapor barrier, and mechanical properties, which are important characteristics in defining the applicability of dressings. All studied factors, as well as their interactions, showed significant effects on the properties of interest. The mathematical models obtained for the studied properties did not have a predictive character but rather a qualitative one, providing a good insight into the behavior of these materials regarding the modification of the evaluated experimental conditions, which strongly influence the characteristics of chitosan-alginate PEC films. Additional swelling and FTIR analyses performed for a selected sub-set of samples confirmed, respectively: (i) the high equilibrium values and stability at the equilibrium of the films regarding liquid absorption for both water and PBS; (ii) no degradation of the chitosan and alginate functional groups or loss of interaction between them under the considered processing conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"236-251"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144016272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}