Versatile π–π Interactive Hydrogel System for Conformable and Sustained Delivery of Aromatic Ring–Containing Therapeutics
발표자
이예성 (성균관대학교 (자연과학캠퍼스))
연구책임자
신미경 (성균관대학교)
초록
내용
Sustained and localized delivery of aromatic drugs remains a challenge in biomaterial design. We developed a hydrogel (CHI-TA) via Schiff-base crosslinking between chitosan and terephthalaldehyde (TA). Aromatic rings of TA enable π–π stacking with conjugated drugs, supporting extended release without added processing. In a curcumin-loaded model, the hydrogel reduced burst release and retained drug locally. It forms within 20 s at body temperature and adheres to wet tissue, with adhesion >5.5 kPa, stiffness >40 kPa, and stability over 30 compressions. The gel remains intact in physiological conditions and shows better cytocompatibility and tissue integration than glutaraldehyde-based gels. In rat bleeding models, CHI-TA achieved hemostasis in under one minute and reduced blood loss by over 65%. These findings highlight its potential for delivering π-conjugated drugs in biomedical settings requiring tissue adherence and mechanical resilience.