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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
P(TA) macro-, micro-, nanoparticle-embedded super porous p(HEMA) cryogels as wound dressing material
Nurettin Sahiner1, Selin Sagbas2, Mehtap Sahiner3
1Faculty of Science & Arts, Chemistry Department, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Terzioglu Campus, 17100 Canakkale, Turkey; Nanoscience and Technology Research and Application Center (NANORAC), Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Terzioglu Campus, 17100 Canakkale, Turkey.
Super porous poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) (p(HEMA)) cryogels were synthesized with embedded poly(Tannic acid) (p(TA)) nanoparticles for wound healing. These composite cryogels show excellent swelling, moisture retention, antioxidant, and hemostatic properties, making them promising for wound dressings.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Wound Healing Technologies
Background:
- Poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) (p(HEMA)) cryogels offer potential for biomedical applications due to their porous structure.
- Incorporating natural compounds like tannic acid (TA) can enhance the functionality of biomaterials.
- Developing advanced wound dressings requires materials with optimal swelling, moisture retention, and hemostatic capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize superporous p(HEMA) cryogels embedded with poly(Tannic acid) (p(TA)) nanoparticles.
- To investigate the swelling, moisture retention, degradation, antioxidant, and hemostatic properties of the composite cryogels.
- To evaluate the potential of these composite cryogels as advanced wound dressing materials.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of p(HEMA) cryogels using polyethylene glycol diacrylate (p(EGDA)) crosslinker under cryogenic conditions.
- Embedding of various sizes of p(TA) nanoparticles into the p(HEMA) cryogel network.
- Characterization using digital camera, optical microscopy, and SEM.
- Swelling studies at different pH conditions (5.4, 7.4, 9) and 37.5°C.
- Moisture retention, degradation profile analysis, antioxidant activity assay, and hemocompatibility testing (hemolysis ratio, blood clotting index).
Main Results:
- Composite p(TA) particle-embedded p(HEMA) cryogels were successfully synthesized.
- Highest swelling capacity observed at pH 9 (972±2% in 30s) with excellent moisture retention.
- Controlled degradation profile with a linear release of TA (5.8±0.8mg/g) over 12 days at pH 7.4 and 37.5°C.
- Significant antioxidant activity (46±1 μgmL⁻¹ gallic acid equivalent) and effective hemostatic properties (8.1±0.9 blood clotting index).
- High hemocompatibility with a low hemolysis ratio (0.0158±0.0126%).
Conclusions:
- The developed p(TA) particle-embedded p(HEMA) cryogel exhibits superior swelling, moisture retention, antioxidant, and hemostatic properties.
- The material demonstrates good hemocompatibility and controlled degradation, suitable for wound healing applications.
- This composite cryogel represents a promising biomaterial for advanced wound dressing development.

