Self-Healing and Thermoresponsive Dual-Cross-Linked Alginate Hydrogels Based on Supramolecular Inclusion Complexes

Abstract

β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), with a lipophilic inner cavity and hydrophilic outer surface, interacts with a large variety of non-polar guest molecules to form non-covalent inclusion complexes. Conjugation of β-CD onto biomacromolecules can form physically-crosslinked hydrogel networks upon mixing with a guest molecule. Herein describes the development and characterization of self-healing, thermo-responsive hydrogels, based on host-guest inclusion complexes between alginate-graft-β-CD and Pluronic® F108 (poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(propylene glycol)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)). The mechanics, flow characteristics, and thermal response were contingent on the polymer concentrations, and the host-guest molar ratio. Transient and reversible physical crosslinking between host and guest polymers governed self-assembly, allowing flow under shear stress, and facilitating complete recovery of the material properties within a few seconds of unloading. The mechanical properties of the dual-crosslinked, multi-stimuli responsive hydrogels were tuned as high as 30 kPa at body temperature, and are advantageous for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and cell transplantation.

Hierarchical supramolecular hydrogels: self-assembly by peptides and photo-controlled release via host–guest interaction

“…Self-thinning and self-healing properties of the gel were observed and as a result, an injectable hydrogel was obtained. 18 Furthermore, the non-covalent interaction enables the response of these soft materials to various stimuli, for example, light, [12][13][14] redox, 15,16 metal-ion 19 and temperature, 20 based on responsive guest molecules. Self-assembly of low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs), on the other hand, has also attracted considerable attention in the past decade.…”

Anticancer Therapeutic Alginate-Based Tissue Sealants for Lung Repair

“…Cell metabolism as indicated by mitochondrial activity is often used as an indicator of cytotoxicity and proliferation using MTT-based assays. 29, 58, 78–80 MTT is metabolized by the cell mitochondria resulting in the formation of formazan crystals which can subsequently be dissolved and quantified via absorbance detection on a plate reader. Increased formazan concentrations result in heightened absorbance, signifying higher mitochondrial activity, and decreased cytotoxicity.…”

Chemical Modification of β‐Cyclodextrins: Balancing Soft and Rigid Domains in Complex Structures

“…Drug carriers must maintain their integrity to deliver the drug to a specific target. In addition, several hydrogels based on CD/PEG compounds have shown an ability to self‐heal, which means they can fully or partially regenerate their original mechanical properties after damage …”