Alginate/polyacrylamide host-guest supramolecular hydrogels with enhanced adhesion

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Injectable hydrogels are promising for minimally invasive delivery but often limited by single properties.
• Developing multifunctional hydrogels with enhanced adhesion and injectability is crucial for broader biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct a supramolecular hydrogel system with improved adhesion and injectability.
• To investigate the host-guest interactions for enhanced hydrogel properties.
• To evaluate the potential of the hydrogel as a bioadhesive and drug delivery carrier.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized supramolecular hydrogels via host-guest interactions between alginate and polyacrylamide.
• Grafted β-cyclodextrin and dopamine onto alginate, and adamantane onto polyacrylamide (AβCDPA).
• Characterized hydrogel properties including tensile adhesion strength, self-healing, shear-thinning, injectability, swelling, degradation, and cytocompatibility.

Main Results:

• AβCDPA hydrogels exhibited a maximum tensile adhesion strength of 19.2 kPa to pigskin, 76% higher than controls.
• Hydrogels demonstrated excellent self-healing, shear-thinning, and injectability (67.4 N extrusion pressure via 16G needle).
• Increased polymer concentration and adamantane substitution enhanced modulus, network strength, and reduced swelling/degradation; good cytocompatibility was observed.

Conclusions:

• The developed supramolecular hydrogel system offers superior adhesion and desirable properties for minimally invasive applications.
• This hydrogel can function as a viscosity extender, bioadhesive, or carrier for therapeutic substance delivery.
• The study highlights the potential of host-guest chemistry in designing advanced injectable biomaterials.