Alginate-Based Hydrogels and Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Alginate is a natural polymer of marine origin and, due to its exceptional properties, has great importance as an essential component for the preparation of hydrogels and scaffolds for biomedical applications. The design of biologically interactive hydrogels and scaffolds with advanced, expected and required properties are one of the key issues for successful outcomes in the healing of injured tissues. This review paper presents the multifunctional biomedical applications of alginate-based hydrogels and scaffolds in selected areas, highlighting the key effect of alginate and its influence on the essential properties of the selected biomedical applications. The first part covers scientific achievements for alginate in dermal tissue regeneration, drug delivery systems, cancer treatment, and antimicrobials. The second part is dedicated to our scientific results obtained for the research opus of hydrogel materials for scaffolds based on alginate in synergy with different materials (polymers and bioactive agents). Alginate has proved to be an exceptional polymer for combining with other naturally occurring and synthetic polymers, as well as loading bioactive therapeutic agents to achieve dermal, controlled drug delivery, cancer treatment, and antimicrobial purposes. Our research was based on combinations of alginate with gelatin, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, apatite, graphene oxide and iron(III) oxide, as well as curcumin and resveratrol as bioactive agents. Important features of the prepared scaffolds, such as morphology, porosity, absorption capacity, hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, in vitro degradation, and in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility, have shown favorable properties for the aforementioned applications, and alginate has been an important link in achieving these properties. Alginate, as a component of these systems, proved to be an indispensable factor and played an excellent “role” in the optimal adjustment of the tested properties. This study provides valuable data and information for researchers and demonstrates the importance of the role of alginate as a biomaterial in the design of hydrogels and scaffolds that are powerful medical “tools” for biomedical applications.

Alginate-Chitosan Biodegradable and Biocompatible Based Hydrogel for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy and Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Review

“…Inoculation of biodegradable hydrogels is an excellent option for localized drug release due to several advantages. This may allow higher drug dosages at the tumor site compared to systemic delivery, reduce unfavorable effects on normal tissues, ensure sustained and controlled drug release, and enable the incorporation of multiple synergistic drugs within the same hydrogel for merger therapy. − Preclinical models, such as genetically engineered mouse models, patient-derived xenografts, and two- and three-dimensional cell cultures, have become valuable tools for investigating the implementation of cancer development and assessing the effectiveness of anticancer drugs . Here we have discussed the role of alginate and chitosan hydrogel in the treatment of breast cancer in the various preclinical models.…”

Hydrogel-exosome system in tissue engineering: A promising therapeutic strategy

“…Regions rich in G units, known as G blocks, exhibit a higher gel-forming capability due to the formation of strong hydrogen bonds, while regions rich in M units, termed M blocks, play a minor role in gel formation. In the presence of divalent metal ions such as calcium ions (Ca 2 ⁺), specific “egg-box” interactions occur between G blocks, leading to the crosslinking of alginate molecules and the formation of a three-dimensional network structure, resulting in gelation [ [121] , [122] , [123] ]. Despite alginate-based hydrogels possessing favorable attributes such as biocompatibility, low toxicity, and strong adsorption capacity, they undergo uncontrolled degradation when exposed to calcium chelators.…”

Natural vs Synthetic Polymers: How Do They Communicate with Cells for Skin Regeneration—A Review

“…The main drawback of using alginates as a polymeric matrix relates to their lack of mechanical strength, poor cell adhesion, and stability, resulting in ion leaching [65].…”