Emerging trends in polysaccharide-based smart PEGylated hydrogels for biomedical applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Polysaccharide-based PEGylated hydrogels integrate polyethylene glycol (PEG) properties with natural polysaccharide benefits.
• These hybrid biomaterials offer hydrophilicity, stability, tunable structures, biodegradability, and biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in the synthesis and design of hybrid PEG-polysaccharide hydrogels.
• To highlight their stimuli-responsive properties and biomedical applications.
• To discuss translational challenges for clinical implementation.

Main Methods:

• Review of synthesis and design strategies for PEG-polysaccharide hydrogels.
• Emphasis on structural modifications and crosslinking with biopolymers like hyaluronic acid, alginate, chitosan, agarose, and carrageenan.
• Analysis of stimuli-responsive mechanisms (temperature, light, pH, ROS, glucose, enzymes).

Main Results:

• Hybrid hydrogels exhibit adjustable physicochemical properties and responsiveness to various stimuli.
• These systems enable controlled release of drugs and growth factors.
• Facilitation of cell adhesion, proliferation, and tissue regeneration observed.

Conclusions:

• PEG-polysaccharide hydrogels show significant potential in cancer therapy, wound healing, and tissue engineering.
• Challenges in biosafety, immunogenicity, scale-up, and regulation impede clinical use.
• Continued research on stability, reproducibility, and performance is crucial for clinical translation.