Sodium hyaluronate-g-2-((N-(6-aminohexyl)-4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonamido)-N-hydroxyacetamide with enhanced affinity towards MMP12 catalytic domain to be used as visco-supplement with increased degradation resistance.

The present paper describes the functionalization of sodium hyaluronate (NaHA) with a small molecule (2-((N-(6-aminohexyl)-4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonamido)-N-hydroxyacetamide) (MMPI) having proven inhibitory activity against membrane metalloproteins involved in inflammatory processes (i.e. MMP12). The obtained derivative (HA-MMPI) demonstrated an increased resistance to the in-vitro degradation by hyaluronidase, viscoelastic properties close to those of healthy human synovial fluid, cytocompatibility towards human chondrocytes and nanomolar affinity towards MMP 12. Thus, HA-MMPI can be considered a good candidate as viscosupplement in the treatment of knee osteoarticular disease.

Polypseudorotaxane and polydopamine linkage-based hyaluronic acid hydrogel network with a single syringe injection for sustained drug delivery.

Polypseudorotaxane structure and polydopamine bond-based crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels including donepezil-loaded microspheres were developed for subcutaneous injection. Both dopamine and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were covalently bonded to the HA polymer for catechol polymerization and inclusion complexation with alpha-cyclodextrin (α-CD), respectively. A PEG chain of HA-dopamine-PEG (HD-PEG) conjugate was threaded with α-CD to make a polypseudorotaxane structure and its pH was adjusted to 8.5 for dopamine polymerization. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/donepezil microsphere (PDM) was embedded into the HD-PEG network for its sustained release. The HD-PEG/α-CD/PDM 8.5 hydrogel system exhibited an immediate gelation pattern, injectability through single syringe, self-healing ability, and shear-thinning behavior. Donepezil was released from the HD-PEG/α-CD/PDM 8.5 hydrogel in a sustained pattern. Following subcutaneous injection, the weight of excised HD-PEG/α-CD/PDM 8.5 hydrogel was higher than the other groups on day 14. These findings support the clinical feasibility of the HD-PEG/α-CD/PDM 8.5 hydrogel for subcutaneous injection.

A novel injectable starch-based tissue adhesive for hemostasis.

Hemorrhage remains one of the direct causes of high mortality. The development of ideal hemostatic materials with sound ability to deal with severe wound is urgent needed. Although starch-based hemostatic powder has been widely used, hydrous physiological environments severely hamper its binding to the target tissue, thereby limiting the effectiveness in hemostasis. Herein, inspired by mussel adhesive protein, a novel injectable tissue-adhesive hydrogel (St-Dopa hydrogel) composed of starch, succinic anhydride and dopamine was developed in situ by enzymatic crosslinking. The results show that St-Dopa hydrogels were intimately integrated with biological tissue and formed robust barriers to reduce blood loss. St-Dopa hydrogels exhibited superior capacity for in vitro and in vivo hemostasis as compared with chitin hydrogels. In addition to the ease of operation, St-Dopa hydrogels exhibited rapid sol-gel transition, porous microscopic morphology, good swelling ratio and biodegradability, tissue-like elastomeric mechanical properties and excellent cyto/hemo-compatibility. These results suggest that this newly developed St-Dopa hydrogel is a promising biological adhesive and hemostatic material.

Biocompatible dialdehyde cellulose/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels with tunable properties.

Solubilized dialdehyde cellulose (DAC), an efficient crosslinking agent for poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), provides less toxic alternative to current synthetic crosslinking agents such as glutaraldehyde, while simultaneously allowing for the preparation of hydrogels with comparably better characteristics. PVA/DAC hydrogels prepared using 0.5, 1 and 1.5 wt% of DAC were analyzed in terms of mechanical, swelling and cytotoxicity characteristics. Materials properties of PVA/DAC hydrogels range from stiff substances to soft viscoelastic gels capable of holding large amounts of water. Superior mechanical properties, porosity and surface area in comparison with analogical PVA/glutaraldehyde hydrogels were observed. Biological studies showed low toxicity and good biocompatibility of PVA/DAC hydrogels. Potential of PVA/DAC in mesh-controlled release of biologically active compounds was investigated using ibuprofen, rutin and phenanthriplatin. Hydrogel loaded with anticancer drug phenantriplatin was found effective against alveolar cancer cell line A549 under in vitro conditions.

Zinc-ion-mediated self-assembly of forky peptides for prostate cancer-specific drug delivery.

A novel forky peptide was designed and synthesized. The peptide self-assembled into supramolecular hydrogels triggered by zinc ions (ZIs). The hydrogels were designed for a drug delivery system (DDS), loaded with docetaxel and applied for the therapy of prostate cancer. In this research, we have discussed the response mechanism and evaluated the anticancer effect of the DDS.

Exploring Orthogonal Hydrogen Bonding towards Designing Organic-Salt-Based Supramolecular Gelators: Synthesis, Structures, and Anticancer Properties.

A series of primary ammonium monocarboxylate (PAM) salts derived from ß-alanine derivatives of pyrene and naphthalene acetic acid, along with the parent acids, were explored to probe the plausible role of orthogonal hydrogen bonding resulting from amide⋅⋅⋅amide and PAM synthons on gelation. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) studies were performed on two parent acids and five PAM salts in the series. The data revealed that orthogonal hydrogen bonding played an important role in gelation. Structure-property correlation based on SXRD and powder X-ray diffraction data also supported the working hypothesis upon which these gelators were designed. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell migration assay on a highly aggressive human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, revealed that one of the PAM salts in the series, namely, PAA.B2, displayed anticancer properties, and internalization of the gelator salt in the same cell line was confirmed by cell imaging.

Experimental vitreous tamponade using polyalkylimide hydrogel.

PURPOSE: To evaluate polyalkylimide as a possible vitreous tamponading agent. METHODS: A 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and posterior vitreous detachment were performed in the right eye of six pigmented rabbits. Approximately 1 ml of viscoelastic gel, polyalkylimide (Bio-Alcamid) was thereafter injected into the vitreous space. Full-field ERG and intraocular pressure (IOP, Tonopen) was measured pre-and postoperatively at regular intervals up to 28 days. At day 6 or 28, the rabbits were sacrificed and the eyes were examined macroscopically, photographed, and prepared for histological examination with routine microscopy. RESULTS: The viscoelastic hydrogel was successfully injected, and remained translucent with preserved gel properties throughout the postoperative period. The postoperative IOP was unchanged compared to preoperative values. Five of six eyes displayed retinal edema or pigmentary changes centrally while the periphery appeared intact. ERG recordings showed a radical decrease in rod- and cone-derived B-wave amplitudes. Histological examination confirmed varying degrees of edema combined with neuronal cell death within the retinal layers in the central part of the fundus, while the peripheral part appeared intact. CONCLUSION: Polyalkylimide displays favourable physical properties when used as a vitreous tamponade. However, the hydrogel causes functional and morphological retinal damage when in direct contact with the inner retina. Possible pathological mechanisms include osmotic imbalance and direct toxic effects, and modification of biochemical properties is warranted before clinical use will be possible.