Issue 12, 2011

A novel dual-structure, self-healable, polysaccharide based hybrid nanogel for biomedical uses

Abstract

A new unique dual-structure hydrogel composed of nanostructures of amphiphilic chitosan (CHC) dispersed in a sodium alginate matrix (SAL) is presented. The successful creation of the composite is based on combining chitosan and sodium alginate without precipitation or agglomeration, which has not been previously reported. The CHC/SAL composite gels present a number of properties making them attractive for biomedical applications, in particular as implantable depot gels or in dermal applications. The gels are shown to form rapidly upon exposure of the combination solution to Ca2+ containing gelation medium. The formed gels have storage moduli similar to soft tissue and display shear reversible gelation with fast recovery of mechanical properties, in addition to self-healing capability at certain compositions. The gels exhibit moderate swelling in deionized water and low swelling in simulated body fluid and cell culture media. The drug release from the composite gels is demonstrated using the hydrophobic drug all-transretinoic acid, which is used in cancer and skin disorder therapies. The drug release initially occurs through a Fickian mechanism for a fraction of the loaded drug, where the fraction released during this process depends on release media and gel composition. A large fraction of the loaded drug can be retained for long term depot drug delivery. Furthermore, the CHC/SAL gels are determined to have low toxicity and skin irritation.

Graphical abstract: A novel dual-structure, self-healable, polysaccharide based hybrid nanogel for biomedical uses

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 Feb 2011
Accepted
08 Apr 2011
First published
17 May 2011

Soft Matter, 2011,7, 5816-5825

A novel dual-structure, self-healable, polysaccharide based hybrid nanogel for biomedical uses

L. Lin, M. Larsson and D. Liu, Soft Matter, 2011, 7, 5816 DOI: 10.1039/C1SM05249G

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