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Chitosan Hydrogels Enriched with Biocompounds Extracted from Marine Sponges: Potential to Modulate the Inflammatory
Mirian Bonifacio1, Cíntia C Santi Martignago1, Dalete C S Souza2
1Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Silva Jardim 136, Vila Matias, Santos, SP 11015-020, Brazil.
ACS Omega
|June 30, 2025
Summary
This study developed chitosan hydrogels using marine sponge compounds for drug delivery. The DR5-enriched hydrogel demonstrated effective anti-inflammatory properties and controlled release, offering a promising alternative for treating inflammatory diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Pharmacology
- Marine Biotechnology
Background:
- Hydrogels, particularly chitosan (CH) hydrogels, are effective drug delivery systems due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability.
- Conventional anti-inflammatory drugs can cause side effects, driving research into natural alternatives and safer delivery methods.
- Marine sponges, like Dysidea robusta, represent an underexplored source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize chitosan hydrogels incorporating bioactive compounds from the marine sponge Dysidea robusta.
- To evaluate the physical, morphological, and drug release properties of these novel hydrogels.
- To assess the in vitro biological activity of the enriched hydrogels, focusing on anti-inflammatory effects.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of four chitosan hydrogel formulations with varying urease and urea concentrations.
- Characterization using mass loss, FTIR, SEM, and rheology.
- Incorporation of seven Dysidea robusta compounds (DR1-DR7) into the optimal hydrogel formulation (H3) and in vitro evaluation of drug release, cell viability, proliferation, and cytokine inhibition (IL-6, TNF-α).
Main Results:
- All synthesized hydrogels exhibited stability and biocompatibility.
- The H3 formulation was selected based on its optimal physical properties, including gelation time, stability, and pore structure.
- The hydrogel enriched with the DR5 compound significantly reduced IL-6 levels and demonstrated potential for sustained drug release.
Conclusions:
- Chitosan hydrogels enriched with Dysidea robusta biocompounds are promising injectable carriers for natural anti-inflammatory agents.
- The DR5-enriched hydrogel shows significant potential for managing inflammatory diseases through controlled release and targeted anti-inflammatory action.
- This research highlights the therapeutic value of marine-derived compounds in advanced drug delivery systems.
