Phenylboronate-salicylate ester cross-linked self-healing hydrogel composed of modified hyaluronan at physiological pH

Soft Matter. 2024 Mar 27;20(13):2926-2936. doi: 10.1039/d3sm01417g.

Abstract

Several hydrogels with boronate/diol ester cross-linking have been reported. However, multiple synthetic steps or expensive reagents are required to modify some diol moieties into polymers. Therefore, diol-modified polymers, which are easily and inexpensively prepared via a single-step process, are required for the formation of boronate esters. This study reports a novel hydrogel composed of phenylboronic acid-modified hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid-modified hyaluronic acid. This hydrogel is injectable, can self-heal at physiological pH, and can be easily and inexpensively prepared. The polymer system behaved as a sol at pH 12.0 and a weak gel at pH 9.4 and 11.2, whereas it behaved as a gel over a wide pH range of 4.0-8.2. The viscoelasticity of the system decreased in response to sugar at pH 7.3. Thus, salicylic acid can be considered a promising diol moiety for hydrogel formation via boronate ester cross-linking.

MeSH terms

  • Boronic Acids*
  • Esters
  • Hyaluronic Acid*
  • Hydrogels*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Polymers
  • Salicylic Acid

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • benzeneboronic acid
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Esters
  • Polymers
  • Salicylic Acid
  • Boronic Acids