Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition最新文献

Chronic wound infections in diabetes present significant clinical challenges due to their complex pathological microenvironment. Intelligent hydrogel dressings, with their three-dimensional network structure and high designability of functions, provide an innovative solution for diabetic wound management. This review systematically elaborates on the latest research progress of antibacterial hydrogels. Firstly, it outlines the pathological basis of diabetic wounds, then focuses on discussing natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and further analyzes the evolutionary context of composite intelligent hydrogels-specifically the systematic treatment strategies ranging from stimulus responsiveness, temporal control to multi-functional synergy-while emphasizing the design for their clinical applicability. Furthermore, it summarizes the comprehensive advantages of such dressings in infection control, immune regulation, and promotion of tissue regeneration, and discusses the potential challenges and prospects in the future, thereby providing certain references for the research and development of the next-generation intelligent dressings.

Biocompatible hydrogels are crucial for biomedical applications, driving significant advancements in their fabrication through the use of ionizing radiation technology. This technology offers a promising eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods by enabling the formation of hydrogels that are biodegradable, non-toxic, and biocompatible. Chitosan (CS)-based hydrogels exhibit remarkable properties such as drug loading and release capabilities, functional scaffolding, biosensing, and antimicrobial activity that position them at the forefront of biomedical research. Therefore, this review is important to integrate existing research, underscore advancements, and identify gaps in knowledge. The primary focus of this review is on the fabrication of CS hydrogels through the ionizing radiation technique, comparing it with other methods and elucidating its benefits and limitations. Also emphasizes the CS-based hydrogels for biomedical applications, such as in drug delivery systems, wound healing, and tissue engineering, directing future research toward their functional use. Finally, it provides future research directions in developing CS-based hydrogels for advanced biomedical applications.

Dural repair of the native dura following trauma or surgery is often challenging due to limitations such as the poor extensibility, regenerative capacity, and the structural integrity of the dura mater. This has led to the rise of dura substitutes, both biological and synthetic, that aim to match the native dura in its strength and elasticity. While the biological dura substitutes are met with immune rejection, scarring or disease transmission risks, scar tissue formation is a major concern in synthetic dura substitutes. In revision surgeries, the chaotic extraction of the scar tissue-encapsulated material causes severe damage to the patient's tissues. This work aims to develop a biologically inert dura substitute by electrospinning biostable polycarbonate urethane. The membrane was characterized in terms of its mechanical strength, stiffness, suture pullout strength, and porosity. The in-vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated in L929 cells by direct contact, MTT and Alamar blue assay. In accordance with ISO 10993, toxicological safety evaluation procedures such as acute systemic toxicity, sensitization, skin irritation, and genotoxicity studies were performed. The material was implanted in rabbit dural defects, with a commercially available Neuro-patch as the control for six months. The gross and histological investigations revealed that the membrane was mechanically resilient with good intraoperative handling characteristics. Furthermore, it was non-toxic, and had minimal to moderate tissue adhesion and did not elicit any chronic inflammatory responses, indicating its potential role in future dura substitute applications.

This study develops two types of chitosan-based composite sponge containing silver nanoparticles and either verbena officinalis extract or sesame oil. An optimal solution of silver nanoparticles and chitosan was obtained from the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Verbena officinalis extract was produced and analyzed using HPLC to verify the chemical composition of the solution. The chitosan/silver nanoparticle/verbena officinalis extract (CS/AgNP/V) and chitosan/silver nanoparticle/sesame oil (CS/AgNPs/S) composites were synthesized and analyzed through the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Morphological analyses (FESEM) confirmed composite formation, with CS/AgNPs/V exhibiting larger pores (mean 74.98 ± 31.04 μm) and higher porosity (68%) than CS/AgNPs/S (53.78 ± 18.32 μm; 43%). Furthermore, the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX) images depicted the presence of nanoparticles in the composites. Accordingly, CS/AgNPs/V manifested superior water absorption (E_S = 15.51) and complete in vitro biodegradability (100%), whereas CS/AgNPs/S was degraded by 45.8%. Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa revealed eight and six log reductions for CS/AgNPs/V as opposed to three and four log reductions for CS/AgNPs/S. Moreover, in vivo assays demonstrated significantly faster wound closure with CS/AgNPs/V (p < 0.01 on day 17) and nearly full regeneration by day 21. In addition, collagen density reached ∼91% for CS/AgNPs/V versus ∼82% for CS/AgNPs/S and ∼75% for the control. Overall, the CS/AgNPs/V nanocomposite was characterized by enhanced biodegradability, antimicrobial efficacy, and tissue regeneration, indicating strong potential as a bioactive wound dressing substance.

Background and purpose: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common painful inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa for which only a few effective therapeutic options are available. In this work, a new bilayer mucoadhesive nanofibrous film was developed and characterized, incorporating a nanoemulsion loaded with Zataria multiflora (ZMF) essential oil (ZMF-EO) into a thiolated chitosan (TCS) matrix to offer local, sustained, and biocompatible therapy for RAS.

Methods: In this study, nanoemulsions containing ZMF-EO were prepared and characterized, then incorporated into bilayer electros pun films made of TCS and a polycaprolactone backing layer. The films were evaluated for drug loading, swelling behavior, mechanical properties, in vitro release, ex vivo permeation, mucoadhesion, antimicrobial activity, cell compatibility, and wound-healing performance.

Results: The ZN-B4 nanoemulsion showed high ZMF loading (98.6 ± 0.8%), nanoscale droplet size (80.9 ± 4.2 nm), and sustained 24-hour release (77.94 ± 4.69%). TCS-3 improved mucosal adhesion and controlled swelling. The F2 film, containing ZN-B4 and TCS-3, showed high drug loading (16.51 ± 1.08%), appropriate tensile strength (4.08 ± 0.93 MPa), ex vivo mucoadhesive strength (17.1 ± 1.9 g), sustained 24-hour drug release (55.32 ± 3.61%), enhanced buccal permeation (51.48%), acceptable biocompatibility (82.3 ± 11.4% cell viability), and complete wound closure within 48 h.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that the ZMF bilayer nanofiber mat represents a promising therapeutic platform for RAS management. Combining herbal medicine with nanotechnology presents an opportunity for effective disease management and facilitates clinical translation.

Nanogels incorporating plant-derived bioactives offer a promising strategy for transdermal therapeutics owing to their biocompatibility, stability, and capacity for controlled drug release. This study phyto-engineered nanogels using Alternanthera brasiliana aqueous extract and compared the performance of chitosan-based (CS) and silver nitrate-based (CP) systems. Nanogels were synthesized and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, pH, viscosity, spreadability, occlusivity, and transdermal permeation. CS-3 and CP-3 emerged as optimized formulations, exhibiting particle sizes of 170.2 ± 6.0 nm and 200.5 ± 5.2 nm, with zeta potentials of -37.4 ± 1.1 mV and -34.0 ± 1.3 mV, respectively. CS-3 demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity (19 mm and 21 mm zones of inhibition), enhanced antioxidant potential (IC₅₀ = 146.94 μg/mL), and improved wound closure (95.74% at 48 h) compared with CP-3 (antioxidant IC₅₀ = 547.18 μg/mL; wound closure 93.74%). Both nanogels showed excellent cytocompatibility and minimal haemolysis, supporting their safety for topical application. The findings highlight the synergistic interaction between chitosan and plant polyphenols, contributing to improved bioactivity compared with silver-based systems. Overall, the study identifies CS-3 as a promising biopolymeric nanogel for future transdermal biomedical applications.

Wound healing is a multifaceted biological process encompassing hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Globally, approximately 6.7 million individuals suffer from chronic wounds, with diabetic foot ulcers affecting 7-10% of diabetic patients. The prevalence of chronic wounds ranges from 1.3% to 3.6% in various countries, imposing substantial economic and healthcare burdens. Conventional synthetic dressings often fall short due to limited biocompatibility, inadequate antimicrobial properties, and inability to maintain an optimal healing environment. In contrast, natural polymers such as chitosan, collagen, alginate, gelatin, and hyaluronic acid offer superior biodegradability and biocompatibility, closely mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM). These materials support critical wound healing functions including hemostasis, moisture retention, antimicrobial activity, and cellular proliferation. When engineered into hydrogels, films, and nanofibers, natural polymers can be tailored to suit diverse wound types. Unlike synthetic alternatives, they promote tissue regeneration with minimal toxicity and enhanced biological efficacy. Furthermore, the integration of smart features such as stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems and real-time wound monitoring positions these natural polymer-based dressings at the forefront of personalized, multifunctional wound care. Despite challenges related to mechanical stability and cost, these advanced bio-materials hold great promise for transforming chronic wound management.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a prevalent complication of diabetes, caused a significant morbidity and posed a heavy burden on society. Considering the lack of disease models in vitro for DPN and the advantages of 3D bioprinting in disease modeling, we employed 3D bioprinting technology based on GelMA hydrogel to construct neurovascular units to mimic peripheral nerves and vessels in vitro, further we built the pathological microenvironment characteristic of DPN when the treatment of high glucose in these units. Our 3D disease models closely recapitulated in vivo pathological conditions, including oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, which are key hallmarks of DPN. Then we explored the effects of cholesterol on DPN progression using our disease models in vitro. Moreover, the results of RNA-seq analysis revealed that cholesterol stimulation promoted neuron death and inhibited angiogenesis, thereby accelerating the progression of DPN. We identified Fos as a potential therapeutic target, given its role in regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS), neuron death, and transcriptional activity. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between cholesterol and DPN, and highlights the potential for targeting cholesterol metabolism in the treatment of DPN.

Laminarin and fucoidan, two marine-derived polysaccharides, have garnered attention in biomedical research due to their unique bioactive properties. Laminarin, a β-glucan composed of glucose linked by β-1,3 and β-1,6 glycosidic bonds, and fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, both demonstrate strong biocompatibility, low toxicity, and the ability to modulate cellular behaviors, making them promising candidates for various therapeutic applications. Recent research highlights their roles in tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, and oncology. Laminarin and fucoidan both support cell adhesion, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition, fostering tissue regeneration and wound repair. In drug delivery, both are often incorporated into nano- or microcarriers, where they can enhance targeted delivery, modulate release kinetics, and improve bioavailability due to their bioadhesive and biological activity. Both compounds have also exhibited potential in cancer therapy-laminarin by inducing apoptosis and fucoidan through its anti-angiogenic and immune-modulating properties. Furthermore, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics suggest applications in managing chronic inflammatory conditions and neurodegenerative diseases. While laminarin and fucoidan hold immense therapeutic potential, challenges such as scalable production, cost-effectiveness, and maintaining stability in complex environments remain. Future research is needed to address these hurdles and fully harness their biomedical capabilities. This review compiles recent advancements, identifies gaps in knowledge, and outlines future strategies to maximize laminarin's and fucoidan's therapeutic potential, paving the way for innovative medical applications.

Infectious bone defects pose a significant challenge in orthopedics by hindering healing and vascularization. This study explored the impact of fibroin thermosensitive hydrogel on osteogenesis, inflammatory response, and angiogenesis as a potential biomaterial for bone regeneration in osteomyelitis treatment. The biocompatibility of the hydrogel by live/dead staining revealed a high number of viable osteoblast cells after 14 days. ALP activity was significantly increased in all hydrogel formulations, with F3 showing the highest levels of total protein content and calcium deposition, indicating more effective osteogenesis. Gene expression analysis of the osteogenesis-related genes demonstrated that RUNX2 was upregulated by day 7, followed by increased expressions of the OCN and COL-1 genes at later stages. The inflammatory response to F3 was assessed by measuring the nitric oxide (NO) production and pro-inflammatory gene expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The F3 formulation significantly reduced NO production and iNOS expression, suggesting selective inhibition of the inflammatory pathway. The VEGF-loaded F3 formulation exhibited substantial angiogenic potential, enhancing HUVEC cell proliferation by 140% over 48 h. The osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic effects shown by the F3 formulation were well-suited for applications in osteomyelitis treatment.