Electrostatically Interactive Injectable Hydrogels for Drug Delivery

Abstract

Background: Several injectable hydrogels have been developed extensively for a broad range of biomedical applications. Injectable hydrogels forming in situ through the change in external stimuli have the distinct properties of easy management and minimal invasiveness, and thus provide the advantage of bypassing surgical procedures for administration resulting in better patient compliance.

Methods: The injectable in situ-forming hydrogels can be formed irreversibly or reversibly under physiological stimuli. Among several external stimuli that induce formation of hydrogels in situ, in this review, we focused on the electrostatic interactions as the most simple and interesting stimulus.

Results: Currently, numerous polyelectrolytes have been reported as potential electrostatically interactive in situ-forming hydrogels. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the rapidly developing electrostatically interactive in situ-forming hydrogels, which are produced by various anionic and cationic polyelectrolytes such as chitosan, celluloses, and alginates, has been outlined and summarized. Further, their biomedical applications have also been discussed.

Conclusion: The review concludes with perspectives on the future of electrostatically interactive in situ-forming hydrogels.

Keywords: Drug delivery; Electrostatic interactions; In situ-forming hydrogels; Injectable; Regenerative medicine.

Fig. 1

Schematic representative image of electrostatically interactive injectable hydrogels via electrostatic interactions between anionic (e.g. carboxylmethyl cellulose) and cationic (e.g. chitosan) polyelectrolytes. (Image was drawn by Y.B.J. and H.J.J. in the Adobe Photoshop 7.0 software)

Fig. 2

Schematic representative image for intratumoral injections of electrostatically interactive injectable hydrogels. (Image was drawn by Y.B.J. and H.J.J. in the Adobe Photoshop 7.0 software)

Fig. 3

Schematic representative image for intra-articular injection of electrostatically interactive injectable hydrogels. (Image was drawn by Y.B.J. and H.J.J. in the Adobe Photoshop 7.0 software)