Synthesis and Characterization of Injectable, Biocompatible and Biodegradable Hydrogels for Biomedical Application

Abstract

Periodontitis is a common oral infection that affects about 10-15% of global population. Periodontitis is characterized by gum inflammation, gingival recession, tissue loss, and dental pocket formation. Different approaches like tooth scaling, ultrasonic scalars, lasers, and root planning as well as surgical procedures have been employed but these mechanical treatments are limited and invasive. For tissue repair or wound healing, it is important to develop biomaterials which have ability of regeneration of bone tissues along with antibacterial properties and would be less invasive in nature. Injectable hydrogels are crucial in this area because they have mechanical and structural characteristics comparable to many body tissues and the artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) and can be delivered to the body in the least invasive manner. In this study a novel thermosensitive, injectable, biocompatible, and biodegradable Chitosan-Alginate based hydrogel was synthesized in combination with bioactive glasses. Different concentrations of primary polymers and copper substituted bioactive glasses were studied and characterized by employing various analytical techniques including XRD, FTIR, Contact Angle, Zetasizer and Inverted microscope. Gelation effect and setting time of these hydrogels were analyzed with and without Bioactive glass. The injectability of these biomaterials was tested via syringe needles of various gauges. Bioactivity and degradability studies were performed along with antibacterial applications against E. coli and S. aureus in which the hydrogels with copper substituted bioactive glass demonstrated positive anti-bacterial activity.