Rapid Gelling of Guar Gum Hydrogel Stabilized by Copper Hydroxide Nanoclusters for Efficient Removal of Heavy Metal and Supercapacitors

Recent advances in the application of clay-containing hydrogels for hemostasis and wound healing

INTRODUCTION

Immediate control of bleeding and anti-infection play important roles in wound management. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death may occur if persistent bleeding, hemodynamic instability, and hypoxemia are not addressed. The combination of clay and hydrogel provides a new outlet for wound hemostasis. In this review, the current research progress of hydrogel/clay composite hemostatic agents was reviewed.

AREAS COVERED

This paper summarizes the characteristics of several kinds of clay including kaolinite, montmorillonite, laponite, sepiolite, and palygorskite. The advantages and disadvantages of its application in hemostasis were also summarized. Future directions for the application of hydrogel/clay composite hemostatic agents are presented.

EXPERT OPINION

Clay can activate the endogenous hemostatic pathway by increasing blood cell concentration and promoting plasma absorption to accelerate the hemostasis. Clay is antimicrobial due to the slow release of metal ions and has a rich surface charge with a high affinity for proteins and cells to promote tissue repair. Hydrogels have some properties such as good biocompatibility, strong adhesion, high stretchability, and good self-healing. Despite promising advances, hydrogel/clay composite hemostasis remains a limitation. Therefore, more evidence is needed to further elucidate the risk factors and therapeutic effects of hydrogel/clay in hemostasis and wound healing.

Eco-friendly and sustainable basil seed hydrogel-loaded copper hydroxide-based catalyst for the synthesis of propargylamines and tetrazoles

The broad use of propargyl amines and tetrazoles in pharmaceutical applications presents a well-established challenge. Their synthesis relies heavily on catalysis, which, in turn, has been hindered by the scarcity of stable and practical catalysts. In response to this issue, we have developed an environmentally friendly and sustainable catalyst by infusing copper hydroxide into basil seed hydrogel (Cu(OH)2-BSH), creating a 3D nanoreactor support structure. To verify the structural, physical, chemical, and morphological properties of the prepared samples, a comprehensive analysis using various techniques, including FT-IR, EDX, FE-SEM, TEM, XRD, BET, TGA, and XPS, were conducted. The results not only confirmed the presence of Cu(OH)2 but also revealed a porous structure, facilitating faster diffusion and providing a substantial number of active sites. This catalyst boasts a high surface area and can be easily recovered, making it a cost-effective, safe, and readily available option. This catalyst was applied to the synthesis of propargyl amines and tetrazoles through multi-component reactions (MCRs), achieving excellent results under mild conditions and in a remarkably short timeframe. Consequently, this work offers a straightforward and practical approach for designing and synthesizing metal hydroxides and 3D hydrogels for use in heterogeneous catalysis during organic syntheses. This can be achieved using basic and affordable starting materials at the molecular level.

Plant Polysaccharides in Engineered Pharmaceutical Gels

Hydrogels are a great ally in the pharmaceutical and biomedical areas. They have a three-dimensional polymeric structure that allows the swelling of aqueous fluids, acting as an absorbent, or encapsulating bioactive agents for controlled drug release. Interestingly, plants are a source of biogels, specifically polysaccharides, composed of sugar monomers. The crosslinking of these polymeric chains forms an architecture similar to the extracellular matrix, enhancing the biocompatibility of such materials. Moreover, the rich hydroxyl monomers promote a hydrophilic behavior for these plant-derived polysaccharide gels, enabling their biodegradability and antimicrobial effects. From an economic point of view, such biogels help the circular economy, as a green material can be obtained with a low cost of production. As regards the bio aspect, it is astonishingly attractive since the raw materials (polysaccharides from plants-cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, inulin, pectin, starch, guar, and cashew gums, etc.) might be produced sustainably. Such properties make viable the applications of these biogels in contact with the human body, especially incorporating drugs for controlled release. In this context, this review describes some sources of plant-derived polysaccharide gels, their biological function, main methods for extraction, remarkable applications, and properties in the health field.