Hydrogels for Biomedicine Based on Semi-Interpenetrating Polymeric Networks of Collagen/Guar Gum: Applications in Biomedical Field and Biocompatibility

Determining the controlled release capacity of drugs with therapeutic interest as well as the biocompatibility of hydrogels based on natural and synthetic polymers is of the utmost importance to evaluate their potential performance in regenerative medicine strategies. Novel hydrogels were synthesized by semi-interpenetration of guar gum (GG) in a matrix of crosslinked collagen with hydrophilic polyurethane. GG concentrations of 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt% on the semi-IPN matrices were tested. These hydrogels have excellent in vitro biocompatibility, not demonstrating cytotoxic character for cells important in the healing process such as monocytes and fibroblasts, stimulating their proliferation, as well as evidencing hemocompatibility and antibacterial capacity. Also these matrices can encapsulate and release methylene blue in a controlled manner. The results of the evaluation of human monocyte signaling indicate that the semi-IPN matrix containing 30 wt% of GG allows higher segregation of beta-1 transforming growth factor ( β 1 -TGF), a determinant cytokine in the construction of new tissue, showing that these hydrogels have potential application in biomedicine as dressings for chronic wound healing.