Chemically engineered multifunctional hydrogel for potential use in biomedical applications: A report on synthesis, physicochemical characterizations, and in vitro evaluation

Addressing the limitations of conventional polymeric hydrogels in eradicating bacterial infection and stimulating cell activity within a biological environment presents a significant challenge. However, chemically engineered biopolymers have gained significant attention in designing advanced hydrogel-based platforms due to their flexibility, tunable properties, multiple functionalities, and ability to deliver bioactive agents. In this study, a novel biopolymer conjugate has been synthesized through simple EDC/NHS chemical functionalization methods, where bioactive spermine, a bioamine, was conjugated to the polymeric backbone of gellan gum (GG). Analytical characterization confirmed the successful synthesis of the GG-S conjugate. This conjugate was further engineered into a multifunctional, injectable hydrogel by incorporating oxidized tannic acid (oTA), forming a crosslinked 3D matrix via imine bond formation or Schiff base reaction with superior physicochemical properties. Physicochemical characterization of novel hydrogel shows the desirable injectability profile, microporous morphology, swelling rate, degradation, and drug release profile. In vitro evaluations of hydrogel (GG-S-oTA) exhibit remarkable antibacterial, antioxidant, hemocompatibility, and excellent cytocompatibility, resulting in a twofold increase in cell viability compared to controls. These attributes highlight the potential of the GG–S–oTA hydrogel platform as a multifunctional biomaterial for diverse biomedical applications, effectively addressing challenges related to infection control while also promoting environmental sustainability.