Stimuli-Sensitive Injectable Hydrogels Based on Polysaccharides and Their Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Stimuli-sensitive injectable polymeric hydrogels are one of the promising delivery vehicles for the controlled release of bioactive agents. In aqueous solutions, these polymers are able to switch sol-to-gel transitions in response to various stimuli including pH, temperature, light, enzyme and magnetic field. Therapeutic agents, including chemotherapeutic agents, protein drugs or cells, are easily mixed with the low-viscous polymer solution at room temperature. Therapeutic-agents-containing solutions are readily injected into target sites through syringe or catheter, which could form hydrogel depot and serve as bioactive molecules release carriers. In particular, they are convenient for in vivo injection in a minimally invasive manner. Owing to their ease of handling, hydrogel scaffolds encapsulated with a wide array of therapeutic agents including growth factors, cells or fillers have been used in regeneration or filling of the defect area. Therefore, injectable hydrogels found a variety of biomedical applications, such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. Here, we summarize the chemical designs and recent developments of polysaccharide-based injectable hydrogels, giving a special attention to hydrogels prepared using amphiphilic polysaccharides for biomedical applications. Advantages and future perspectives of polysaccharide-based injectable hydrogels are highlighted.

Keywords: controlled release; injectable gels; polysaccharides; sol-to-gel phase transition; stimuli-sensitive polymers.