Author(s):
Jayanti Tiwari, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Pooja Lodhi, Sparsh Kumar Gupta, Prem Gupta, Poorvi Sahu, Shivangi Gupta
Email(s):
jtiwaripharma@yahoo.com
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00204 
Address:
Jayanti Tiwari*, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Pooja Lodhi, Sparsh Kumar Gupta, Prem Gupta, Poorvi Sahu, Shivangi Gupta
Gyan Ganga Institute of Technology and Sciences, Jabalpur, India, 482003.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 3,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymeric networks capable of absorbing and retaining substantial amounts of water while maintaining their structural integrity. Their unique properties such as high water content, tunable mechanical strength, flexibility, and excellent biocompatibility make them highly versatile for biomedical applications. Hydrogels can be synthesized from either natural or synthetic polymers, with their characteristics adjustable through variation in polymer composition, cross-linking density, and responsiveness to environmental stimuli. These materials are widely employed in tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, wound care, and biosensors. In drug delivery, hydrogels enables controlled, localized release of therapeutic agents, improving efficacy and reducing side effects. Their porous structure and moisture retention create an optimal environment for wound healing. In tissue engineering, they mimic the extracellular matrix, supporting cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation. Additionally, hydrogels can function as smart materials in biosensing due to their sensitivity to pH, temperature, and ionic strength. Despite their promise, challenges such as large-scale production and long-term stability remain. Ongoing research focuses on enhancing the biodegradability, mechanical properties, and functionality of hydrogels, positioning them as transformative materials in both medical and industrial fields.
Cite this article:
Jayanti Tiwari, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Pooja Lodhi, Sparsh Kumar Gupta, Prem Gupta, Poorvi Sahu, Shivangi Gupta. A Review Article on Hydrophilic Matrix Innovation. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(3):1415-0. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00204
Cite(Electronic):
Jayanti Tiwari, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Pooja Lodhi, Sparsh Kumar Gupta, Prem Gupta, Poorvi Sahu, Shivangi Gupta. A Review Article on Hydrophilic Matrix Innovation. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(3):1415-0. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00204 Available on: https://www.rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-3-65
REFERENCES:
1. Wichterle O, Lim D. Hydrophilic gels for biological use. Nature. 1960; 185(4706): 117–118. https://doi.org/10.1038/185117a0.
2. Seow WY, Hauser CAE. Short to ultrashort peptide hydrogels for biomedical uses. Mater Today. 2014; 17(8): 381–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2014.06.006
3. Lee SC, Kwon IK, Park K. Hydrogels for delivery of bioactive agents: A historical perspective. Advance Drug Delivery Rev. 2013; 65(1): 17–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2012.07.015
4. Mathew AP, Uthaman S, Cho KH, Cho CS, Park IK. Injectable hydrogels for delivering biotherapeutic molecules. Int J Biol Macromol. 2018; 110: 17–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.12.051
5. Riederer MS, Requist B, Payne KA, Way JD, Krebs MD. Injectable and microporous scaffold of densely packed, growth factor encapsulating chitosan microgels. Carbohydr Polym. 2016; 152: 792–801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.07.066
6. Zaman M, Siddique W, Waheed S, Muhammad SS, Mahmood A, Qureshi J, et al. Preparation and properties of hydrogel formulation: A review. Int J Biol Pharm Allied Sci. 2015; 4(12): 6581–603.
7. Rana P, Ganarajan G, Kothiyal P. Review on preparation and properties of hydrogel formulation. World J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2015; 4(12):1069–80.
8. Yang L, Chu JS, Fix JA. Colon-specific drug delivery: New approaches and in vitro/in vivo evaluation. Int J Pharm. 2002; 235(1–2):1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-5173(01)00934-5
9. Tan H, Marra KG. Injectable, biodegradable hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. Materials (Basel). 2010; 3(3):1746–67. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma3031746.
2. Susana S, Figueiras A, Veiga F. Modular hydrogels for drug delivery. J Biomater Nanobiotechnol. 2012; 3: 185–99. https://doi.org/10.4236/jbnb.2012.32024
3. De Jong S, Eerdenbrugh VV, Van Nostrum CF, Bosch KJ, Hennink WE. Physically crosslinked dextran hydrogels by stereocomplex formation of lactic acid oligomers: Degradation and protein release behavior. J Control Release. 2001; 71(3): 261–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(01)00236-6
4. Alge DL, Azagarsamy MA, Donohue DF, Anseth KS. Biomacromolecules. 2013; 14(4): 949–53. https://doi.org/10.1021/bm301763k
5. Kasai RD, Radhika D, Archana S, Shanavaz H, Koutavarapu R, Lee DY, et al. Int J Polym Mater Polym Biomater. 2022; 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/00914037.2022.2038376
6. Hamidi M, Azadi A, Rafiei P. Hydrogel nanoparticles in drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2008; 60(15): 1638–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2008.08.002
7. Ahmed EM. Hydrogel: Preparation, characterization, and applications: A review. J Adv Res. 2015; 6(2):105–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2013.07.006
8. Rodrigues BS, Banerjee A, Kanekiyo T, Singh J. Int J Pharm. 2019; 566: 717–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.06.055
9. Kievit FM, et al. Aligned chitosan polycaprolactone polyblend monofibers promote migration of glioblastoma cells. Adv Healthc Mater. 2013; 2: 1651–9.
10. Wang LL, et al. Injectable, guest–host assembled polyethylenimine hydrogel for siRNA delivery. Biomacromolecules. 2017; 18(1): 77–86. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.6b01368
11. Ahearne M, Kelly DJ. A comparison of fibrin, agarose and gellan gum hydrogels as carriers of stem cells and growth factor delivery microspheres for cartilage regeneration. Biomed Mater. 2013; 8(3): 035004. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-6041/8/3/035004
12. Ahmed TA, Hincke MT. Strategies for articular cartilage lesion repair and functional restoration. Tissue Eng Part B Rev. 2010; 16(3): 305–29. https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.teb.2009.0660
13. Ahrem H, Pretzel D, Endres M, et al. Laser-structured bacterial nanocellulose hydrogels support ingrowth and differentiation of chondrocytes and show potential as cartilage implants. Acta Biomater. 2014; 10(3): 1341–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2013.11.027
14. Wang HM, Chen YZ, Ding SH, Duan SB, Tian JJ, Meng QL, et al. Transfus Apher Sci. 2015; 53(3): 337–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transci.2015.09.007
15. Caló E, Khutoryanskiy VV. Biomedical applications of hydrogels: A review of patents and commercial products. Eur Polym J. 2015; 65: 252–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2014.11.024
16. Ahmad S, Ahmad M, Manzoor K, Purwar R, Ikram S. A review on latest innovations in natural gums based hydrogels: Preparations & applications. Int J Biol Macromol. 2019; 136: 870–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.06.113
17. Zhang Z, Bi F, Guo W. Research advances on hydrogel-based materials for tissue regeneration and remineralization in tooth. Gels. 2023; 9(3):245. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9030245
18. Dissanayaka WL, Hargreaves KM, Jin L, Samaranayake LP, Zhang C. The interplay of dental pulp stem cells and endothelial cells in an injectable peptide hydrogel on angiogenesis and pulp regeneration in vivo. Tissue Eng Part A. 2015; 21(3–4): 550–63. https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.tea.2014.0277
19. Kim SK, Cho TH, Han JJ, Kim IS, Park Y, Hwang SJ. Comparative study of BMP-2 alone and combined with VEGF carried by hydrogel for maxillary alveolar bone regeneration. Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2016; 13: 171–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-016-0014-2
20. Tabata Y. Biomaterials technology for tissue engineering application. J R Soc Interface. 2009; 6(Suppl 3): S311–24. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2009.0026.focus
21. Shantha KL, Harding DRK. Synthesis and evaluation of sucrose-containing polymeric hydrogel for oral drug delivery. J Appl Polym Sci. 2002; 84(13): 2597–606. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.10538
22. Raju KM, Raju MP. Synthesis of novel superabsorbing copolymers for agriculture and horticultural application. Polym Int. 2001; 50(8): 946–51. https://doi.org/10.1002/pi.706
23. Kiathamjornwong S. Superabsorbent polymers and superabsorbent polymer composites. ScienceAsia. 2007; 33: 139–43. https://doi.org/10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2007.33.139
24. Tomonari O, Lana N, Tadoshi N, Seiji K, Takamasa N. Synthesis of hydrogel beads having phosphoric acid groups and its absorption ability for lanthanide ions. React Funct Polym. 2006; 66(6): 625–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2005.09.005
25. Hunkeler D. Synthesis and characterization of high molecular weight water soluble polymers. Polym Int. 1992; 27(1): 23–33. https://doi.org/10.1002/pi.1992.210270104