Green Synthesis of Novel GelMA/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Hydrogels and Evaluation of Their Properties for Potential Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogels are the most widely used materials in biomedical applications due to their optimal biological properties and tunable physical characteristics. So far, various studies have been done to improve the properties of GelMA by hybridizing it with chitosan. However, the necessity of acidic solvents usage in these procedures challenges their synthesis process. Herein, we develop an innovative green method to synthesize a novel GelMA hydrogel. In this study, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) has been used to modify gelatin to obtain photo-cross-linkable GelMA. The hydrogels with different amounts of N, Ń methylene bisacrylamide as a cross-linking agent were prepared by using the photopolymerization technique, and their chemical and physical properties were characterized. The FTIR spectral analysis and NMR analysis confirmed gelatin and CMC chemical modification and demonstrated GelMA/CMC hydrogel synthesis. Various studies for characterization of the GelMA/CMC hydrogels revealed the tunability of their physical and mechanical properties by changing the cross-linking agent concentration. The synthesized hydrogels exhibited a tailor-made porosity, good mechanical strength, high swelling ratio, and high thermal stability. In addition, the results of L929 fibroblast cell viability assays indicated their excellent biocompatibility. These findings introduce these hydrogels as promising, great candidates to use in various shapes and an extended range of medical applications such as tissue engineering scaffolds, delivery systems, and wound dressings.

Design and fabrication of gelatin-based hydrogel loaded with modified amniotic extracellular matrix for enhanced wound healing

“…However, the mechanism of action of dECMMA/GelMA and its associated tissue healing signaling pathways remain unclear in this study [ 9 ]. Moreover, the fabrication process and optimization of the theoretical performance of this composite hydrogel require further investigation [ 4 ]. Additionally, further studies are required in other large animal models, such as pig models, in order to facilitate clinical translation in the future years.…”

“…The chemical composition was determined using a Nicolet Nexus 670 FTIR spectrometer. The scanning test range was from 400 cm −1 to 4000 cm −1 , and the instrument testing resolution was 4 cm −1 [ 4 ].…”

“…The swelling balanced GelMA and dECMMA/GelMA hydrogel (10 mm in diameter and 5 mm in height) was tested for its mechanical properties with an Electric Dynamic Test System (M − 3000, Care measurement and control). The hydrogel was squeezed at a compression rate of 1 mm/min at room temperature until the rupture of the hydrogel [ 4 , 25 ].…”

“…Wound management is a major challenge faced by the global healthcare system. Currently, the use of dressings for the treatment of skin wounds is a highly effective method in clinical practice, and the dressings mainly include non-woven dressings, medicated moist dressings, tissue engineering substitutes, biologically-based dressings, biological and naturally derived dressings, as well as various combinations thereof [ 3 , 4 ]. However, the application of various dressings is also limited by their inherent material characteristics.…”