Abstract
Serum albumin can be transformed to a stimuli (pH and redox) responsive hydrogel using the reduction process followed by oxidative refolding. The preparation of albumin hydrogel involves a range of concentrations (75, 150, 300, 450, 600 and 750 μM) and pH (2.0–10.0) values and the gelation begins at a concentration of 150 μM and 4.5–8.0 pH value. The hydrogel shows maximum swelling at alkali pH (pH > 9.0). The increase in albumin concentration increases hydrogel stability, rheological property, compressive strength, proteolytic resistance and rate of in vivo biodegradation. Based on the observed physical and biological properties of albumin hydrogel, 450 μM was determined to be an optimum concentration for further experiments. In addition, the hemo- and cytocompatibility analyses revealed the biocompatibility nature of albumin hydrogel. The experiments on in vitro drug (Tetracycline) delivery were carried out under non reducing and reducing conditions that resulted in the sustained and fast release of the drug, respectively. The methodology used in the preparation of albumin hydrogel may lead to the development of autogenic tissue constructs. In addition, the methodology can have various applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery.
Highlights
Studies have reported that albumin can be transformed into a hydrogel or any other biomaterials
The free thiols in the Bovine serum albumin (BSA) undergoes disulphide bridge formation in a non- native form resulting in the formation of albumin hydrogel (Fig. 1c)
The present study explores the significant observations made during the reduction and oxidative refolding of serum albumin and its transformation into an autogenic material or self-derived material with dual responsive characteristics
Summary
Studies have reported that albumin can be transformed into a hydrogel or any other biomaterials. According to Swanekamp et al.[27], the change in secondary structure and the increase in beta sheet formation responsible for the stability of the hydrogel, which, substantiates the gel strength results observed in the present study. The rheological analysis of BSA gel displayed higher storage modulus than the loss modulus and suggested the elastic nature of the hydrogel (Fig. 2f).
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