Polymeric Organo-Hydrogels: Novel Biomaterials for Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Drug Delivery Platforms

Abstract

In the recent two decades, tremendous devices and materials such as stents, biomimetic organs, scaffolds, and vessels have been developed for medical purposes. When such devices are utilized in the body, the side effects or biocompatibility of the materials have to be studied extensively. Interdisciplinary studies have reviled numerous strategies to overcome adverse body reactions against implanted devices. Besides naturally occurring materials such as collagen, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and dextran, various synthetic and modified materials such as poly(lactic acid), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(acrylamide) have been accomplished. In this context, progress in polymer science makes hydrogels a valuable candidate for those utilizations. Moreover, hydrogels received enormous attention as drug delivery devices because of their unique properties, such as soft structure and responsive capabilities based on the functional group attached. Particularly, the developments in synthetic materials have brought out numerous materials for medical and pharmaceutical applications. In recent studies, organo-hydrogels, a branch of hydrogels, have drawn considerable attention over hydrogels because of superior properties such as the coexistence of organic and aqueous phases and viscoelastic bi-phasic natures. They were prepared in bulk forms and nano-scale dimensions, which allow them to be utilized more extensively. These incredible structures provide them with extensive features to be utilized from head to toe in every aspect of health care application. In this short review, we will focus on some of the pioneering perspectives of organo-hydrogels particularly accomplished in clinical therapy and the use of their biodegradable, target-responsive properties as sensing components in novel microscale apertures.

Lecithin Organogel: A Promising Carrier for the Treatment of Skin Diseases

“…The high water content (70–90%) provides physical similarity to tissues and can give the hydrogels excellent biocompatibility and the ability to encapsulate hydrophilic drugs. , However, the encapsulation of hydrophobic molecules into the aqueous network of the hydrogel is challenging . To overcome this limitation, emulgels and organogels are prepared so that the hydrophobic therapeutic moiety can be easily loaded into these gel systems. , Emulgels generally involve the combination of both gel and emulsion. These systems also contain a gelling agent whose presence in the water phase converts an emulsion to an emulgel formulation.…”

“… 22 To overcome this limitation, emulgels and organogels are prepared so that the hydrophobic therapeutic moiety can be easily loaded into these gel systems. 23 , 24 Emulgels generally involve the combination of both gel and emulsion. These systems also contain a gelling agent whose presence in the water phase converts an emulsion to an emulgel formulation.…”

Insights about the ability of folate based supramolecular gels to act as targeted therapeutic agents

“…They are featured by the presence of a three-dimensional network, built through the establishment of non-covalent interactions, and able to trap the solvent thanks to the occurrence of supramolecular interactions. 25,26 Supramolecular gels are generally classified on the grounds of the nature of the solvent entrapped and distinguished as hydro-, 27,28 organo-, 29,30 iono- 31,32 and eutectogels, 33,34 if gelled solvents are water, organic solvents, ionic liquids or deep eutectic solvents, respectively. Although the liquid component is predominant, supramolecular gels show the features of a solid material and, during the years, the wide versatility in the gels nature has warranted their application as drug delivery systems, soft materials for environmental reservation and preservation, organized reaction media, sensors and so on.…”

Lysine‐Based Two‐Component Organogelator: Naproxen Carrier Soft Material

“…[6] In this perspective, drug carriers have drawn gradually increasing importance and had an enormous impact on interdisciplinary studies, as summarized in reviews on relevant areas. [7,8] Control of drug dose according to amount, place, and time is the main target for drug administration science. While improved control minimizes side effects, it maximizes the therapeutic effect.…”

“…40 % of newly discovered chemical entities, oral administration in common dosage forms is problematic [6] . In this perspective, drug carriers have drawn gradually increasing importance and had an enormous impact on interdisciplinary studies, as summarized in reviews on relevant areas [7,8] . Control of drug dose according to amount, place, and time is the main target for drug administration science.…”