Injectable and Self-Healing Chitosan Hydrogel Based on Imine Bonds: Design and Therapeutic Applications

Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jul 27;19(8):2198. doi: 10.3390/ijms19082198.

Abstract

Biological tissues can automatically repair themselves after damage. Examples include skin, muscle, soft tissue, etc. Inspired by these living tissues, numerous self-healing hydrogels have been developed recently. Chitosan-based self-healing hydrogels constructed via dynamic imine bonds have been widely studied due to their simple preparation, good biocompatibility, and automatic reparability under physiological conditions. In this mini-review, we highlighted chitosan-based self-healing hydrogels based on dynamic imine chemistry, and provided an overview of the preparation of these hydrogels and their bioapplications in cell therapy, tumor therapy, and wound healing.

Keywords: cell therapy; chitosan; dynamic imine bond; tumor therapy; wound healing.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / therapeutic use
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels / therapeutic use*
  • Imines / chemistry*
  • Injections
  • Models, Animal
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Hydrogels
  • Imines
  • Chitosan