Hydrogels in Drug Delivery – Part 2

Hydrogels in Drug Delivery

See the new book, edited by Alejandro J. Paredes, Garry Laverty, Eneko Larrañeta, Ryan F. Donnelly. It covers the fundamental mechanisms of drug delivery from a hydrophilic matrix, breaks down interconnections between introductory theory and applied materials chapters and includes experimental pictures and links to multimedia features including videos and slides.

Description

Chapter 9

In situ gel forming formulations for topical drug delivery

The “In situ gel” is a promising drug delivery system characterized by the ability to shift from a liquid to a gel when applied. These gelation mechanisms are induced by environmental factors such as changes in pH, temperature, ion concentrations, or specific pH. This chapter explores the classification of in situ gel based on stimuli and offers an overview of topical drug administration routes using in situ gel systems, including transdermal, ocular, nasal, vaginal, and rectal applications. In addition, this chapter also presents the recent research and innovative formulations in the development of in situ gel for topical drug delivery that is crucial for enhancing efficiency and patient compliance. This comprehensive investigation provides a profound understanding of the potential of in situ gel, and it is expected to stimulate continued innovation in the field of in situ gel to address issues in topical drug delivery.

See the chapter

Frederika Tangdilintin, Stephanie, Alghifary Anas Achmad, Sulistiawati, Cindy Kristina Enggi, Andi Dian Permana, Chapter 9 – In situ gel forming formulations for topical drug delivery, Editor(s): Alejandro J. Paredes, Eneko Larrañeta, Garry Laverty, Ryan F. Donnelly, Hydrogels in Drug Delivery, Elsevier, 2025, Pages 307-349, ISBN 9780443220173, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-22017-3.00001-9.

Chapter 11

3D printed hydrogels: A promising material for biomedical applications

3D printing is a revolutionary technique which enables 3D virtual models to be transformed into physical 3D objects. Since it was first introduced, nearly 40 years ago, 3D printing has steadily progressed offering significant advancements in the engineering of advanced materials and can be applied to a wide range of industries ranging from aerospace to biomedical. Hydrogels’ propitious properties make them ideal candidates for 3D printing applications including inkjet printing, extrusion printing (fused deposition modeling and semisolid extrusion), and laser printing (stereolithography, digital light processing, and two-photon polymerization). The ability of hydrogels to withstand mechanical stress once implanted in the body, absorb biological fluids, and give rise to proper cell growth and proliferation makes them suitable candidates to be utilized in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, soft robotics, printable electronics, and in vitro tissue modeling. Hydrogels can be fabricated using a natural source or in a synthetic way. Natural hydrogels are desirable, exhibiting good biocompatibility and biodegradability, although optimal properties can be obtained from synthetic hydrogels by tuning their swelling ability, stability, biodegradability, or mechanical strength. In this book chapter, different 3D printing techniques and potential natural and synthetic raw materials are described. Furthermore, recent advances in emerging biomedical applications of hydrogels are discussed. An outlook of the future trends in the hydrogel’s field is also present.

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Ellen Bickerstaff, Hanaa Mehdi-Sefiani, Ernesto Chicardi, Ranier Sepúlveda, Víctor Manuel Pérez-Puyana, Masoud Adhami, Eneko Larrañeta, Juan Domínguez-Robles, Chapter 11 – 3D printed hydrogels: A promising material for biomedical applications, Editor(s): Alejandro J. Paredes, Eneko Larrañeta, Garry Laverty, Ryan F. Donnelly, Hydrogels in Drug Delivery, Elsevier, 2025, Pages 379-412, ISBN 9780443220173, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-22017-3.00008-1.

Chapter 13

The role of hydrogels in wound healing

Chronic wounds impose a substantial burden to the entire healthcare system; therefore, the clinical demand for advanced wound dressings is increasing consistently. In this scenario, hydrogels, with their inherent properties, promote wound healing and tissue remodeling by preserving an appropriate moisture balance at the wound bed/dressing interface and by facilitating gas exchange, nutrient transport as well as cell infiltration and proliferation. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels represent smart wound dressings which, after injection/application, are able to modify some of their properties in response to specific environmental stimuli, such as temperature, pH, reactive oxygen species levels, and/or glucose concentration.

The overall aim of this chapter is to provide a brief description of the distinct phases of the wound healing process and an overview of the physical and chemical cross-linking methods for the hydrogel production. A particular focus will be devoted to stimuli-responsive hydrogels developed in the last 5 years for wound healing applications. Finally, some examples of commercially available hydrogel-based products, commonly used in wound management and care, are reported; the practical concerns limiting the translation into the clinic of advance wound dressings will also be discussed.

See the chapter

Barbara Vigani, Caterina Valentino, Marco Ruggeri, Giuseppina Sandri, Silvia Rossi, Chapter 13 – The role of hydrogels in wound healing, Editor(s): Alejandro J. Paredes, Eneko Larrañeta, Garry Laverty, Ryan F. Donnelly, Hydrogels in Drug Delivery, Elsevier, 2025, Pages 443-476, ISBN 9780443220173, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-22017-3.00002-0.

See the full book here

Alejandro J. Paredes, Garry Laverty, Eneko Larrañeta, Ryan F. Donnelly, Hydrogels in Drug Delivery, DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/C2023-0-00216-3, Published 2025, Elsevier

Read also the following article:

• Coming soon: Hydrogels in Drug Delivery – Part 1