Repository logo
 
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Publication

Injectable and biodegradable hydrogels: gelation, biodegradation and biomedical applications

Use this identifier to reference this record.

Advisor(s)

Abstract(s)

Injectable hydrogels with biodegradability have in situ formability which in vitro/in vivo allows an effective and homogeneous encapsulation of drugs/cells, and convenient in vivo surgical operation in a minimally invasive way, causing smaller scar size and less pain for patients. Therefore, they have found a variety of biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, cell encapsulation, and tissue engineering. This critical review systematically summarizes the recent progresses on biodegradable and injectable hydrogels fabricated from natural polymers (chitosan, hyaluronic acid, alginates, gelatin, heparin, chondroitin sulfate, etc.) and biodegradable synthetic polymers (polypeptides, polyesters, polyphosphazenes, etc.). The review includes the novel naturally based hydrogels with high potential for biomedical applications developed in the past five years which integrate the excellent biocompatibility of natural polymers/synthetic polypeptides with structural controllability via chemical modification. The gelation and biodegradation which are two key factors to affect the cell fate or drug delivery are highlighted. A brief outlook on the future of injectable and biodegradable hydrogels is also presented (326 references).

Description

Keywords

Drug delivery systems Gels Hydrogels Biomedical technology . Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia Centro de Química da Madeira

Citation

Li, Y., Rodrigues, J., & Tomas, H. (2012). Injectable and biodegradable hydrogels: gelation, biodegradation and biomedical applications. Chemical Society Reviews, 41(6), 2193-2221.

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue

Publisher

Royal Society of Chemistry

CC License

Altmetrics