Engineering Functional Biopolymer-Based Smart Hydrogels for Controlled Drug Delivery and Tissue Regeneration
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Original Research | 2026 | Volume - 3 | Issue - 3 | Page 42-53
Dr. M. SAKTHIVEL, Associate Professor in Chemistry, School of Engineering and Technology, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan University, Samayapuram, Trichy, Tamil Nadu- 621112, India, 8248851870, sakthivel.set@dsuniversity.ac.in
Abstract
The development of multifunctional biomaterials has significantly advanced the fields of regenerative medicine and targeted drug delivery. Functional biopolymer-based smart hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates owing to their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, tunable physicochemical properties, and ability to mimic the extracellular matrix. This study explores the engineering of smart hydrogels fabricated from natural biopolymers, including chitosan, alginate, gelatin, hyaluronic acid, and cellulose derivatives, for controlled therapeutic delivery and tissue regeneration. The hydrogels were designed to exhibit stimuli-responsive behavior, enabling the controlled release of encapsulated bioactive agents in response to environmental triggers such as pH, temperature, and enzymatic activity. Their structural, mechanical, swelling, degradation, and drug-release characteristics were comprehensively evaluated using standard in vitro techniques. Furthermore, cytocompatibility and regenerative potential were assessed through cell viability, proliferation, and migration assays using mammalian cell lines. The engineered hydrogels demonstrated high water absorption capacity, sustained drug release over an extended period, favorable mechanical stability, and excellent cellular compatibility. In vitro findings indicated enhanced cell attachment and proliferation, suggesting their suitability as scaffolds for tissue repair. Controlled release kinetics minimized the initial burst effect while maintaining therapeutically relevant drug concentrations. Collectively, these results highlight the potential of functional biopolymer-based smart hydrogels as versatile platforms for precision drug delivery and regenerative tissue engineering. Future investigations involving advanced biofabrication approaches, bioactive molecule incorporation, and preclinical in vivo studies are warranted to facilitate their translation into clinical applications.