Biomimetic Adhesive Micropatterned Hydrogel Patches for Drug Release

Abstract

The optimized physical adhesion between bees' leg hairs and pollen grains—whereby the latter's diameter aligns with the spacing between the hairs—has previously inspired the development of a biomimetic drug dressing. Combining this optimized process with the improved natural mussels' adhesion in wet environments in a dual biomimetic process, it is herein proposed the fabrication of a natural‐derived micropatterned hydrogel patch of methacrylated laminarin (LAM‐MET), with enriched drug content and improved adhesiveness, suitable for applications like wound healing. Enhanced adhesion is accomplished by modifying LAM‐MET with hydroxypyridinone groups, following the patch microfabrication by soft lithography and UV/vis‐irradiation, resulting in a membrane with micropillars with a high aspect ratio. Following the biomimetics rational, a drug patch is engineered by combining the microfabricated dressing with drug particles milled to fit the spaces between pillars. Controlled drug release is achieved, together with inherent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and enhanced biocompatibility using the bare micropatterned patches. This new class of biomimetic dressings overcomes the challenges of current patches, like poor mechanical properties and biocompatibility, limited adhesiveness and drug dosage, and lack of prolonged antimicrobial activity, opening new insights for the development of high drug‐loaded dressings with improved patient compliance.

From algae to advancements: laminarin in biomedicine

“…This design allowed for the controlled release of the drug offered inherent antibacterial characteristics against E. coli and P. aeruginosa, and enhanced biocompatibility in contrast to the bare micropatterned patches. 82 In a separate study, Sellimi et al aimed to evaluate the wound-healing potential of a cream formulated with laminarin from the brown seaweed Cystoseira barbata (CBL). The antibacterial and antioxidant characteristics of CBL were assessed, demonstrating notable effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.…”

Biomimetic Materials for Skin Tissue Regeneration and Electronic Skin

“…A bee's leg hair contains millions of pollen grains and particles due to optimized physical adhesion between the hair and pollen (Figure 7). Inspired by this, the researchers created micropatterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structures that efficiently trap large amounts of microparticles [109]. They combined the adhesive power of natural mussels to produce a naturally derived pharmaceutical package with bio-adhesive properties.…”

pH-Tolerant Wet Adhesion of Catechol Analogs

“…In contrast with the established understanding of the adhesion of oxidation-prone catechol analogs, the adhesion of oxidation-resistant catechol analogs is poorly understood. Although macroscopic adhesion of materials functionalized with HOPO , and DHB − has been reported, molecular level adhesion of HOPO has not been investigated, and questions remain about effect of environmental conditions on the adhesion of DHB. We previously found lower adhesion of compounds functionalized with 2,3-DHB in neutral conditions than in acidic conditions, but did not investigate the origin of the pH-dependence.…”