Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, remains a significant challenge in modern medicine due to its chronic nature and the limitations of current treatments. Smart hydrogels, with their unique ability to respond to environmental stimuli such as pH, enzymes, and temperature, offer an innovative approach to addressing these challenges. These hydrogels enable precise, localized drug delivery, minimizing systemic side effects and enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
This project explored three advanced hydrogel systems designed for targeted IBD treatment. The first system employed enzyme-sensitive hydrogels that react to elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in inflamed tissues, enabling on-demand drug release. The second system focused on starch-based hydrogels, leveraging their pH-sensitive properties to deliver drugs specifically to the colon. The third system utilized a composite of hyaluronic acid/gelatin hydrogels embedded with carboxymethyl chitosan microspheres, combining pH sensitivity with sustained drug release for improved bioavailability and anti-inflammatory effects.
The findings demonstrate that each hydrogel system has distinct strengths, from precise targeting to scalability and biocompatibility. Together, these innovative approaches highlight the transformative potential of smart hydrogels in treating IBD. While challenges such as production complexity and clinical adoption remain, these systems represent a promising step toward personalized, effective therapies for gastrointestinal diseases.