Self-Healing Hydrogels with Intrinsic Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties Based on Oxidized Hydroxybutanoyl Glycan and Quaternized Carboxymethyl Chitosan for pH-Responsive Drug Delivery

In this study, self-healing hydrogels were created using oxidized hydroxybutanoyl glycan (OHbG) and quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan (QCMCS), displaying antioxidant and antibacterial properties for pH-responsive drug delivery. The structures of the modified polysaccharides were confirmed through 1H NMR analysis. Double crosslinking in the hydrogel occurred via imine bonds (between the aldehyde group of OHbG and the amine group of QCMCS) and ionic interactions (between the carboxyl group of OHbG and the quaternized group of QCMCS). The hydrogel exhibited self-healing properties and improved thermal stability with an increase in OHbG concentration. The OHbG/QCMCS hydrogel demonstrated high compressive strength, significant swelling, and large pore size. Drug release profiles varied between pH 2.0 (96.57%) and pH 7.4 (63.22%). Additionally, the hydrogel displayed antioxidant and antibacterial effects without compromising the polysaccharides’ inherent characteristics. No cytotoxicity was observed in any hydrogel samples. These findings indicate that the OHbG/QCMCS hydrogel is a biocompatible and stimuli-responsive drug carrier, with potential for various pharmaceutical, biomedical, and biotechnological applications.