Chitosan based smart injectable hydrogels for biomedical applications: A comprehensive review

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Chitosan-based smart injectable hydrogels (CS-SIHs) are versatile platforms due to biocompatibility and biodegradability.
• Their responsiveness to stimuli (pH, temperature, ionic strength) enables controlled therapeutic release.
• CS-SIHs mimic the extracellular matrix, promoting cell functions crucial for tissue engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review novel CS-SIH formulations and their therapeutic applications.
• To analyze recent preclinical and translational studies of CS-SIHs.
• To explore challenges and opportunities for clinical translation of CS-SIHs.

Main Methods:

• Systematic integration of physicochemical properties and intelligent response mechanisms.
• Analysis of various crosslinking strategies for CS-SIH development.
• Review of biomedical applications in bone regeneration, cartilage repair, and wound healing.

Main Results:

• CS-SIHs demonstrate potential for enhanced bioactivity, mechanical integrity, and environmental adaptability.
• Encapsulation of diverse therapeutic agents (proteins, nucleic acids, small molecules) facilitates minimally invasive delivery.
• Significant progress in preclinical studies highlights the therapeutic efficacy of CS-SIHs.

Conclusions:

• CS-SIHs represent a promising frontier in biomedical engineering for advanced therapies.
• Further research is needed to overcome clinical translation hurdles like regulatory issues and scalability.
• This review provides a framework for future development of intelligent hydrogel systems.