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Biocompatible chitosan based hydrogels for potential application in local tumour therapy
Anda-Mihaela Olaru1, Luminita Marin2, Simona Morariu2
1"Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of Romanian Academy, Iasi, Romania; "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University, Department of Organic Chemistry, Iasi, Romania.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|November 8, 2017
Summary
Novel chitosan-based hydrogels were synthesized using dynamic covalent chemistry for potential cancer therapy. These biocompatible materials show promise for local treatment applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Chitosan is a versatile biopolymer with potential applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering.
- Dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) offers a flexible approach to creating advanced polymer networks.
- Developing novel hydrogels with tailored properties is crucial for biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel hydrogels using chitosan polyamine and nitrosalicylaldehyde via DCC.
- To investigate the hydrogelation mechanism, mechanical properties, and microstructure.
- To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo biocompatibility for potential cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Hydrogel synthesis via imination and transimination reactions using DCC.
- Characterization using NMR, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, polarized light microscopy, rheological measurements, and scanning electron microscopy.
- In vitro cytotoxicity testing on HeLa cancer cells.
- In vivo biocompatibility assessment via subcutaneous implantation in rats.
Main Results:
- Successful preparation of chitosan-based hydrogels with ordered clusters acting as crosslinking nodes.
- Hydrogels exhibited a channel microstructure morphology, enabling fast swelling by capillarity.
- Demonstrated good in vitro cytotoxicity against HeLa cancer cells.
- Showed excellent in vivo biocompatibility in rat models.
Conclusions:
- The novel hydrogels possess favorable mechanical properties and a unique microstructure.
- These chitosan-based hydrogels exhibit promising anti-cancer activity and biocompatibility.
- The developed biomaterials are suitable for local cancer therapy applications.
