Biocompatible dialdehyde cellulose/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels with tunable properties

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Engineering

Background:

• Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels are widely used but often require synthetic crosslinking agents.
• Current crosslinkers like glutaraldehyde raise toxicity concerns.
• Dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) presents a potentially less toxic and more effective alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate poly(vinyl alcohol)/dialdehyde cellulose (PVA/DAC) hydrogels as a less toxic alternative to PVA/glutaraldehyde hydrogels.
• To characterize the mechanical, swelling, and cytotoxicity properties of PVA/DAC hydrogels.
• To investigate the potential of PVA/DAC hydrogels for controlled release applications, including drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of PVA/DAC hydrogels with varying DAC concentrations (0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt%).
• Assessment of hydrogel mechanical properties, swelling behavior, and porosity.
• In vitro cytotoxicity and biocompatibility studies.
• Drug release studies using model compounds (ibuprofen, rutin) and an anticancer drug (phenanthriplatin).

Main Results:

• PVA/DAC hydrogels demonstrated a range of properties from stiff solids to soft viscoelastic gels with high water absorption.
• Superior mechanical properties, porosity, and surface area were observed compared to PVA/glutaraldehyde hydrogels.
• PVA/DAC hydrogels exhibited low toxicity and good biocompatibility.
• Effective mesh-controlled release of model compounds and phenanthriplatin was achieved.
• Phenanthriplatin-loaded PVA/DAC hydrogels showed efficacy against the A549 alveolar cancer cell line in vitro.

Conclusions:

• Dialdehyde cellulose is a promising, less toxic crosslinking agent for PVA hydrogels.
• PVA/DAC hydrogels offer improved material characteristics and biocompatibility over traditional PVA/glutaraldehyde hydrogels.
• These hydrogels show significant potential for controlled drug delivery systems, particularly for anticancer agents.