Tough Polymeric Hydrogels Formed by Natural Glycyrrhetinic Acid-Tailored Host–Guest Macro-Cross-Linking toward Biocompatible Materials

Abstract

Host-guest polymeric hydrogels often suffer from poor biocompatibility and weak mechanical strength owing to the low complexation degree between host-and guest-polymers. In contract to reported works, here a biocompatible host-guest macro-crosslinker (HGMC) was synthesized beforehand by complexation of poly(β-cyclodextrin) with natural glycyrrhetinic acid-derivative functionalized with acrylates at two extremities. After crosslinking polyacrylamide three polymeric hydrogels were obtained, the swelling ratios and micro-pore sizes of which could be adjusted effectively by HGMC content. Moreover, they exhibited robust anti-compressing and elastic features. These biocompatible tough polymeric hydrogels hold the promise for potential applications as biomaterials.