Fabrication of Naturally Derived Double-Network Hydrogels With a Sustained Aspirin Release System for Facilitating...

Continuous efforts on pursuit of effective drug delivery systems for engineering hydrogel scaffolds is considered a promising strategy for the bone-related diseases. Here, we developed a kind of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin, ASA)-based double-network (DN) hydrogel containing the positively charged natural chitosan (CS) and methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) polymers. Combination of physical chain-entanglement, electrostatic interactions, and a chemically cross-linked methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) network led to the formation of a DN hydrogel, which had a suitable porous structure and favorable mechanical properties. After in situ encapsulation of aspirin agents, the resulting hydrogels were investigated as culturing matrices for adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) to evaluate their excellent biocompatibility and biological capacities on modulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. We further found that the long-term sustained ASA in the DN hydrogels could contribute to the anti-inflammation and osteoinductive properties, demonstrating a new strategy for bone tissue regeneration.