سامانه همایش های دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد نجف آباد

صفحه اصلی / اولین همایش بین المللی تحول خدمات سلامت: تلفیق مراقبت، درمان، بازتوانی و امیدبخشی

Injectable Hydrogels for Local Drug Delivery in Spinal Cord Injury: Design Strategies and Translational Challenges

نویسندگان :

Fariba Baei¹

1- دانشگاه علوم پزشکی تهران

کلمات کلیدی :

Spinal Cord Injuries،Hydrogels،Drug Delivery Systems،Delayed-Action Preparations،Biocompatible Materials

چکیده :

Background Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is followed by secondary pathological processes that complicate drug treatment. Systemic administration may fail to maintain adequate drug exposure within the injured tissue while increasing exposure elsewhere. Injectable hydrogels offer local retention and controlled release, but their performance also depends on material properties and administration conditions. Methods This narrative mini - review examines selected preclinical studies of injectable hydrogels for drug delivery after SCI. The evidence was organized according to drug-loading strategy, release mechanism, route of administration, biological outcomes, and limitations relevant to clinical translation. Findings Studies of hydrogels carrying minocycline, curcumin, methylprednisolone, paclitaxel, and metformin have reported changes in inflammatory and tissue-related markers, with functional improvements in several animal models. Direct incorporation, multiphase loading, responsive networks, and carrier-in-hydrogel approaches provide distinct means of regulating drug exposure. However, injury models, treatment windows, and comparator groups vary, and in vitro release profiles may not reflect drug availability within injured spinal tissue. Conclusions Future studies should include matched free-drug and blank-hydrogel controls, assess in vivo drug retention and safety, and examine gelation, swelling, degradation, and delayed administration. Clinical value will depend on demonstrating reliable advantages over simpler delivery approaches.