Natural Hydrogels Research Articles

Designing Nanoliposome-in-Natural Hydrogel Hybrid System for Controllable Release of Essential Oil in Gastrointestinal Tract: A Novel Vehicle.

In this study, thyme essential oil (essential oil to total lipid: 14.23, 20, 25, and 33.33%)-burdened nanoliposomes with/without maltodextrin solution were infused with natural hydrogels fabricated using equal volumes (1:1, v/v) of pea protein (30%) and gum Arabic (1.5%) solutions. The production process of the solutions infused with gels was verified using FTIR spectroscopy. In comparison to the nanoliposome solution (NL1) containing soybean lecithin and essential oil, the addition of maltodextrin (molar ratio of lecithin to maltodextrin: 0.80, 0.40, and 0.20 for NL2, NL3, and NL4, respectively) to these solutions led to a remarkable shift in particle size (487.10-664.40 nm), negative zeta potential (23.50-38.30 mV), and encapsulation efficiency (56.25-67.62%) values. Distortions in the three-dimensional structure of the hydrogel (H2) constructed in the presence of free (uncoated) essential oil were obvious in the photographs when compared to the control (H1) consisting of a pea protein-gum Arabic matrix. Additionally, the incorporation of NL1 caused visible deformations in the gel (HNL1). Porous surfaces were dominant in H1 and the hydrogels (HNL2, HNL3, and HNL4) containing NL2, NL3, and NL4 in the SEM images. The most convenient values for functional behaviors were found in H1 and HNL4, followed by HNL3, HNL2, HNL1, and H2. This hierarchical order was also valid for mechanical properties. The prominent hydrogels in terms of essential oil delivery throughout the simulated gastrointestinal tract were HNL2, HNL3, and HNL4. To sum up, findings showed the necessity of mediators such as maltodextrin in the establishment of such systems.

Tunicate-mimetic antibacterial hydrogel based on metal ion crosslinking and chitosan functionalization for wound healing

With the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant bacterial infections and frequent occurrences of slow wound healing, the development of novel antibacterial wound dressings has become a serious challenge. Hydrogel dressings have attracted extensive attention on wound healing due to their unique three-dimensional network structures and properties. However, it is a challenge to develop natural long-acting antibacterial hydrogels with multiple functions such as excellent cell affinity, wet adhesion and mechanical properties. Inspired by the wound healing mechanism and adhesion characteristics of tunicates, a series of biomimetic antibacterial hydrogels were prepared by utilizing pyrogallol-modified chitosan (GACS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as matrix, zinc ions (Zn2+) as crosslinking and antibacterial agents, and ethyl N-lauroyl l-arginate hydrochloride (LAE) as the antibacterial active ingredient. The morphology, swelling, water retention, degradability, wet adhesion, biocompatibility, mechanical and rheological properties of PVA/GACS/Zn2+/LAE hydrogels were evaluated. And the adhesion ability conferred by the pyrogallol structures enabled the hydrogel with enhanced antibacterial effect and hemostatic ability. Moreover, the in vivo experiments on rat models with full-thickness infected wounds confirmed that PVA/GACS/Zn2+/LAE hydrogels could efficiently kill bacteria, significantly improve the wound microenvironment, greatly promote fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition and ultimately accelerate wound healing. In a word, this study provided a feasible and simple way for the development of biomimetic antibacterial hydrogel dressings applied in infected wounds, which could not only seal wounds with various shapes and provide a moist and antibacterial environment for wounds, but also have certain mechanical strength, excellent wound adhesion, good biocompatibility and hemostatic performance.

Hydrogels for 3D bioprinting in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: Current progress and challenges.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a promising and innovative biomanufacturing technology, which can achieve precise position controlling of cells and extracellular matrix components, and further create complex and functional multi-cellular tissues or organs in a 3D environment. Bioink in the form of the cell-loaded hydrogel is most commonly used in bioprinting, and it is vital to the process of bioprinting. The bionic scaffold should possess suitable mechanical strength, biocompatibility, cell proliferation, survival, and other biological characteristics. The disadvantages of natural polymer hydrogel materials include poor mechanical properties as well as low printing performance and shape fidelity. Over the past years, a series of synthetic, modified, and nanocomposite hydrogels have been developed, which can interact through physical interactions, chemical covalent bond crosslinking, and bioconjugation reactions to change the characteristics to satisfy the requirements. In this review, a comprehensive summary is provided on recent research regarding the unique properties of hydrogel bioinks for bioprinting, with optimized methods and technologies highlighted, which have both high-value research significance and potential clinical applications. A critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each hydrogel-based biomaterial ink is presented at the beginning or end of each section, alongside the latest improvement strategies employed by current researchers to address their respective shortcomings. Furthermore, we propose potential repair sites for each hydrogel-based ink based on their distinctive repair features, while reflecting on current research limitations. Finally, we synthesize and analyze expert opinions on the future of these hydrogel-based bioinks in the broader context of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, offering valuable insights for future investigations.

Advances of xenogeneic ovarian extracellular matrix hydrogels for in vitro follicle development and oocyte maturation

Research aimed at preserving female fertility is increasingly using bioengineering techniques to develop new platforms capable of supporting ovarian cell function in vitro and in vivo. Natural hydrogels (alginate, collagen, and fibrin) have been the most exploited approaches; however they are biologically inert and/or biochemically simple. Thus, establishing a suitable biomimetic hydrogel from decellularized ovarian cortex (OC) extracellular matrix (OvaECM) could provide a complex native biomaterial for follicle development and oocyte maturation. The objectives of this work were (i) to establish an optimal protocol to decellularize and solubilize bovine OC, (ii) to characterize the histological, molecular, ultrastructural, and proteomic properties of the resulting tissue and hydrogel, and (iii) to assess its biocompatibility and adequacy for murine in vitro follicle growth (IVFG). Sodium dodecyl sulfate was identified as the best detergent to develop bovine OvaECM hydrogels. Hydrogels added into standard media or used as plate coatings were employed for IVFG and oocyte maturation. Follicle growth, survival, hormone production, and oocyte maturation and developmental competence were evaluated. OvaECM hydrogel-supplemented media best supported follicle survival, expansion, and hormone production, while the coatings provided more mature and competent oocytes. Overall, the findings support the xenogeneic use of OvaECM hydrogels for future human female reproductive bioengineering.

The application and prospects of 3D printable microgel in biomedical science and engineering.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology is one of the most advanced techniques currently applied in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine and has developed rapidly in the past few years. Despite many breakthroughs, there are still several challenges of 3D bioprinting technology awaiting to be addressed, and one of them is the urgency of optimizing bioinks (natural or synthetic hydrogel), which are critical elements in 3D bioprinting, for specific properties. Different from traditional hydrogels, microgels, which are a new type of bioink, are micron-sized gels with excellent mechanical and biological properties, which make them great candidates for applications in 3D bioprinting. Different from the dense and limited pore size of traditional hydrogels, the pore structure of microgel is adjustable, enabling better cell loading before 3D bioprinting, and the printed pores are conducive to the exchange of metabolic substances and cell migration. The "bottom-up" modular microgel has stronger customizable characteristics, and it can freely adjust its mechanical properties, such as hardness, toughness, and rheological properties. In this review, we review the application of microgels in the field of biomedicine and discuss the future development of microgels in 3D bioprinting.

Resveratrol loaded native silk fiber-sericin hydrogel double interpenetrating bioactive wound dressing facilitates full-thickness skin wound healing

Wound repair is challenging for traditional wound dressings. New bioactive dressings need to be developed urgently. Herein, we reported a highly bioactive silk protein wound dressing (SPD) with natural silk fiber-sericin hydrogel interpenetrating double network structure, which combines the dual characteristics of natural silk and sericin hydrogel. Silk fiber scaffolds were secreted directly from silkworms bred by regulating their spinning behaviors. Sericin in SPD is obtained by dissolving silkworm cocoons at high temperature and high pressure, while it remains intact activities to self-assemble a hydrogel. To explore the effect of SPD, we first systematically evaluated its physicochemical properties and biological activities in vitro. The SPD exhibits high porosity, prominent mechanical strength, pH-responsive degradability, and excellent anti-oxidation and cell compatibility. Besides, SPD can load and maintain long-term drug release. Based on the satisfactory performance of SPD in vitro, effective in vivo treatment was achieved in a mouse full-thickness wound model, as demonstrated by a significantly accelerated wound healing process, promote the regeneration of hair follicles and sebaceous glands, increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, and reduced inflammation. Further, resveratrol was loaded into SPD to enhance the effects of anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation for wound healing. Our investigation shows that SPD with excellent physicochemical and biological properties applied in a murine full-thickness skin wound model resulted in remarkable and efficient acceleration of healing process, which may inspire the design of new, effective, and safer medical materials for tissue regeneration.

Extraction, Modification and Biomedical Application of Agarose Hydrogels: A Review

Numerous compounds present in the ocean are contributing to the development of the biomedical field. Agarose, a polysaccharide derived from marine red algae, plays a vital role in biomedical applications because of its reversible temperature-sensitive gelling behavior, excellent mechanical properties, and high biological activity. Natural agarose hydrogel has a single structural composition that prevents it from adapting to complex biological environments. Therefore, agarose can be developed into different forms through physical, biological, and chemical modifications, enabling it to perform optimally in different environments. Agarose biomaterials are being increasingly used for isolation, purification, drug delivery, and tissue engineering, but most are still far from clinical approval. This review classifies and discusses the preparation, modification, and biomedical applications of agarose, focusing on its applications in isolation and purification, wound dressings, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and 3D printing. In addition, it attempts to address the opportunities and challenges associated with the future development of agarose-based biomaterials in the biomedical field. It should help to rationalize the selection of the most suitable functionalized agarose hydrogels for specific applications in the biomedical industry.

Editorial for the Special Issue “Advances in Colloidal Hydrogels”

Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymer networks derived from hydrophilic macromonomers, which can be categorized as natural, synthetic, or hybrid hydrogels [...].

High-efficiency uranium extraction from seawater by low-cost natural protein hydrogel

Utilization of uranium resource in seawater are highly possible to meet the growth demands for the sustainable development of nuclear energy industry. Bio-adsorbents exhibit high performance in terms of adsorption selectivity, equilibrium speed, and environmental friendliness, while the high fabrication cost hinders their practical application. In this study, a low-cost soy protein isolate (SPI) is used to fabricate adsorbent named SPI hydrogel for uranium extraction. This is the first report on applying bio-adsorbents derived from low-cost natural proteins for uranium extraction. The SPI hydrogel showed high uranium adsorption capacity of 53.94 mg g−1 in simulated nuclear wastewater and 5.29 mg g−1 is achieved in natural seawater, which is higher than all currently available adsorbents based on non-modified natural biomolecules. The amino and oxygen-containing groups are identified as the functional groups for uranyl binding by providing four oxygen and two nitrogen atoms to form equatorial coordination with uranyl, which guarantees the high binding selectivity and affinity to uranyl ions. The low cost for accessing the raw material together with the environmental friendliness, high salt tolerance, high uranium adsorption ability, and high selectivity to uranium, make SPI hydrogel a promising adsorbent for uranium extraction from seawater and nuclear wastewater.

Hydrogels for Oral Tissue Engineering: Challenges and Opportunities.

Oral health is crucial to daily life, yet many people worldwide suffer from oral diseases. With the development of oral tissue engineering, there is a growing demand for dental biomaterials. Addressing oral diseases often requires a two-fold approach: fighting bacterial infections and promoting tissue growth. Hydrogels are promising tissue engineering biomaterials that show great potential for oral tissue regeneration and drug delivery. In this review, we present a classification of hydrogels commonly used in dental research, including natural and synthetic hydrogels. Furthermore, recent applications of these hydrogels in endodontic restorations, periodontal tissues, mandibular and oral soft tissue restorations, and related clinical studies are also discussed, including various antimicrobial and tissue growth promotion strategies used in the dental applications of hydrogels. While hydrogels have been increasingly studied in oral tissue engineering, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed for satisfactory clinical outcomes. This paper summarizes the current issues in the abovementioned application areas and discusses possible future developments.

CuS Hybrid Hydrogel for Near-Infrared-Enhanced Infected Wound Healing: A Gelatin-Assisted Synthesis and Direct Incorporation Strategy

Developing antibacterial hydrogels, with good mechanical strength and self-healing ability to resist bacterial invasion and accelerate skin regeneration, is critical for infected full-thickness skin wound treatment. Herein, we report a gelatin-assisted synthesis and direct incorporation strategy to construct a CuS hybrid hydrogel for infected wound healing applications. CuS nanodots (NDs) were synthesized directly inside a gelatin host matrix (Gel-CuS), and these tightly confined and evenly distributed CuS NDs displayed superb dispersibility and stability against oxidation. Gel-CuS was then used to crosslink with oxidized dextran (ODex) to form a Gel-CuS-8/ODex hydrogel (8 stands for the concentration of CuS, in mM) via a facile Schiff-base reaction, which exhibited improved mechanical properties, excellent adhesion and self-healing ability, suitable swelling and degradation behavior, and good biocompatibility. The Gel-CuS-8/ODex hydrogel can act as an efficient antibacterial agent due to its photothermal and photodynamic properties under a 1064 nm laser irradiation. Furthermore, in animal experiments, when being applied as wound dressing, the Gel-CuS-8/ODex hydrogel significantly promoted infected full-thickness cutaneous wound healing through improved epidermis and granulation tissue formation and accelerated generation of new blood vessels, hair follicles, and collagen deposition after proper near-infrared irradiation treatment. This work provides a promising strategy to synthesize functional inorganic nanomaterials tightly and evenly embedded inside modified natural hydrogel networks for wound healing applications.

Research Progress of Flexible Wearable Sensors Based on Protein Hydrogels

Natural protein-based hydrogels, which combine the biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity and adhesion of natural proteins, have been widely researched in the field of flexible and wearable sensors. In addition, the sensing capability of protein hydrogels can be elevated by improving their mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, self-healing adhesion and environmental stability. This paper reviews the research of protein-based hydrogels represented by silk fibroin, gelatin and keratin in flexible wearable sensors. Firstly, the preparation mechanism of these three proteins was introduced. Subsequently, we summarized the performance optimization strategies of protein-based hydrogels. Then, the application of protein-based hydrogels in flexible and wearable sensors is discussed. Finally, we summarized and prospected the recent research, which provided reference for the future relevant researchers.

Novel Studies in the Designs of Natural, Synthetic, and Compound Hydrogels with Biomedical Applications

Hydrogels are gaining widespread popularity in the biomedical field due to their extraordinary properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, zero toxicity, easy processing, and similarity to physiological tissue. They have applications in controlled drug release, wound dressing, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Among these applications, hydrogels as a controlled drug delivery system stands out, which releases active substances in precise amounts and at specific times. To explore the latest advances in the design of hydrogels, a literature review of articles published in indexed scientific journals, in Scopus and Science Direct, was carried out. This review aimed to discover and describe the most innovative hydrogel research with applications in the biomedical field; hydrogels synthesized with polymers of different origins were selected, such as; i. Natural (dextran, agarose, chitosan, etc.); ii. Synthetic (polyacrylamide, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, etc.); iii. Composites (interpenetrants, hybrid crosslinkers, nanocomposites, etc.). Comparative analysis revealed that hydrogels with composite materials show the most promise. These composite hydrogels combine the advantages of different polymers or incorporate additional components, offering enhanced properties and functionalities. In summary, hydrogels are versatile biomaterials with immense potential in biomedicine. Their unique properties make them suitable for diverse applications. However, innovative designs and formulations must continue to be explored to further advance the capabilities of hydrogels and expand their biomedical applications.

Integration of Extracellular Matrices into Organ-on-Chip Systems.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex, dynamic network present within all tissues and organs that not only acts as a mechanical support and anchorage point but can also direct fundamental cell behavior, function, and characteristics. Although the importance of the ECM is well established, the integration of well-controlled ECMs into Organ-on-Chip (OoC) platforms remains challenging and the methods to modulate and assess ECM properties on OoCs remain underdeveloped. In this review, current state-of-the-art design and assessment of in vitro ECM environments is discussed with a focus on their integration into OoCs. Among other things, synthetic and natural hydrogels, as well as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) used as substrates, coatings, or cell culture membranes are reviewed in terms of their ability to mimic the native ECM and their accessibility for characterization. The intricate interplay among materials, OoC architecture, and ECM characterization is critically discussed as it significantly complicates the design of ECM-related studies, comparability between works, and reproducibility that can be achieved across research laboratories. Improving the biomimetic nature of OoCs by integrating properly considered ECMs would contribute to their further adoption as replacements for animal models, and precisely tailored ECM properties would promote the use of OoCs in mechanobiology.

A roadmap for developing and engineering in vitro pulmonary fibrosis models.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe form of pulmonary fibrosis. IPF is a fatal disease with no cure and is challenging to diagnose. Unfortunately, due to the elusive etiology of IPF and a late diagnosis, there are no cures for IPF. Two FDA-approved drugs for IPF, nintedanib and pirfenidone, slow the progression of the disease, yet fail to cure or reverse it. Furthermore, most animal models have been unable to completely recapitulate the physiology of human IPF, resulting in the failure of many drug candidates in preclinical studies. In the last few decades, the development of new IPF drugs focused on changes at the cellular level, as it was believed that the cells were the main players in IPF development and progression. However, recent studies have shed light on the critical role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in IPF development, where the ECM communicates with cells and initiates a positive feedback loop to promote fibrotic processes. Stemming from this shift in the understanding of fibrosis, there is a need to develop in vitro model systems that mimic the human lung microenvironment to better understand how biochemical and biomechanical cues drive fibrotic processes in IPF. However, current in vitro cell culture platforms, which may include substrates with different stiffness or natural hydrogels, have shortcomings in recapitulating the complexity of fibrosis. This review aims to draw a roadmap for developing advanced in vitro pulmonary fibrosis models, which can be leveraged to understand better different mechanisms involved in IPF and develop drug candidates with improved efficacy. We begin with a brief overview defining pulmonary fibrosis and highlight the importance of ECM components in the disease progression. We focus on fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in the context of ECM biology and fibrotic processes, as most conventional advanced in vitro models of pulmonary fibrosis use these cell types. We transition to discussing the parameters of the 3D microenvironment that are relevant in pulmonary fibrosis progression. Finally, the review ends by summarizing the state of the art in the field and future directions.

Synthesis and characterization of natural fibers reinforced alginate hydrogel fibers loaded with diclofenac sodium for wound dressings

Hydrogels which become increasingly important in the biomedical field are composed of a three-dimensional hydrophilic network. Pure hydrogels are usually weak and brittle; therefore, reinforcements are assimilated into the hydrogel structure to improve the mechanical strength of the hydrogels. However, even if mechanical properties are enhanced, drapability remains an issue. In that regard, natural fiber-reinforced composite hydrogel fibers for wound dressing application are investigated in this study. Kapok and hemp fibers were used as reinforcement to improve the strength of hydrogel fibers. The properties of the prepared composite hydrogel fibers were studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The effect of alginate concentration and fiber weight percent on the mechanical characteristics and water absorbency was studied. Diclofenac sodium drug was loaded in the hydrogel fibers and investigated the drug release as well as antibacterial characteristics. Both fibers' reinforcement enhanced the strength of the alginate hydrogel fiber, but hemp reinforcement showed better mechanical properties. Kapok reinforcement resulted in a maximum tensile strength of 174 cN (1.24 % elongation) and 432 % exudate absorbency, while hemp reinforcement resulted in 185 cN (1.48 % elongation) and 435 % exudate absorbency. Statistical analysis revealed significant effects of sodium alginate concentration on tensile strength (p-value 0.042) and exudate absorbency (p-value 0.020) and of reinforcement (wt%) on exudate absorbency (p-value 0.043). Therefore, these composite hydrogel fibers with improved mechanical properties are capable of drug release and exhibit antibacterial effectiveness, making them a promising option for use as wound dressings.

Natural small molecule-induced polymer hydrogels with inherent antioxidative ability and conductivity for neurogenesis and functional recovery after spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a permanent disabling condition of the central nervous system. The secondary oxidative stress and the interruption of nerve electrical signal conduction are the main obstacles in the repair of SCI. Benefiting from the inherent capability for reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging by α-lipoic acid (LA) and the therapeutic effect by LiCl as well as conductivity in aqueous solution, we develop advanced hydrogels (poly(lipoic acid-co-sodium lipoate) (PLL) hydrogels) through one-pot ring-opening polymerization of LA in the presence of NaHCO3 for the efficient treatment of SCI. The hydrogels show facile injectability, adequate adhesiveness with tissues, and promising self-healability and can scavenge ROS in vitro and in vivo with high performance. Moreover, in the rat SCI model, PLL hydrogels facilitate electrophysiological signal transduction of nerve fibers at the injury site, regulate oxidative stress and inflammation in situ, and inhibit glial scar formation to promote neural stem cell migration and differentiation into neurons, all of which contribute to fast functional recovery after SCI. As the raw materials are safe and the fabrication process is easily scalable, the developed PLL hydrogels represent a cost-effective strategy for the regeneration of different injured tissues in clinical settings.

The effect of three types of cross-linked hydrogels and volume fraction of polyacrylamide on the swelling and thermal behavior using molecular dynamics simulation

The technology of hydrogels is three-dimensional polymer networks with transverse connections that can adsorb water or biofluids. These compounds can adsorb water without dissolving. Natural hydrogels are considered due to their variety, abundance, cheapness, non-toxicity, and biocompatibility with synthetic hydrogels. In this research, the effect of three types of cross-linked hydrogels polyacrylamide (PAM), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels), and volume fraction (5–15%) of PAM on the swelling, and thermal behavior (TB) of simulated samples were studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results show that among the simulated hydrogels, the structure of PAM had better atomic behavior and TB. PAM hydrogel had the highest swelling, heat flux (HF), and thermal conductivity (TC), with a numerical value of 342,722 Å3, 1583 W/m2, and 0.57 W/m.K after 10 ns. In the following, by increasing the volume fraction of PAM hydrogel from 5% to 15%, swelling increased to 377,986 Å3, and the TC with 10% of PAM increased from 0.53 (W/m.K) to 0.66 (W/m.K). Furthermore, HF of the sample with 15% of PAM was increased from 1423 (W/m2) to 1761 (W/m2) after 10 (ns). Consequently, by increasing the volume fraction of PAM hydrogel, TB of simulated structure was improved.

Soft, strong, tough, and durable bio-hydrogels via maximizing elastic entropy.

Load-bearing soft tissues are soft but strong, strong yet tough. These properties can only be replicated in synthetic hydrogels, which do not have the biocomplexity required by many biomedical applications. By contrast, natural hydrogels, although retaining the native complexity, are weak and fragile. Here we present a thermomechanical casting method to achieve the mechanical capabilities of synthetic materials in biopolymer hydrogels. The thermomechanical cast and chemically crosslinked biopolymer chains form a short-range disordered but long-range ordered structure in water. Upon stretch, the disordered structure transforms to a hierarchically ordered structure. This disorder-order transformation resembles the synergy of the disordered elastin and ordered collagen in load-bearing soft tissues. As entropy drives a reverse order-disorder transformation, the hydrogels can resist repeated cycles of loads without deterioration in mechanical properties. Gelatin hydrogels produced by this method combine tissue-like tunable mechanical properties that outperform the gelatin prepared by synthetic approaches, and in vivo biocomplexity beyond current natural systems. Unlike polymer engineering approaches, which rely on specific crosslinks provided by special polymers, this strategy utilizes the entropy of swollen chains and is generalizable to many other biopolymers. It could thus significantly accelerate translational success of biomaterials.

Facile degradation of chitosan-sodium alginate-chromium (III) gel in relation to leather re-tanning and filling

Natural polysaccharide hydrogel, exemplified by chitosan‑sodium alginate (CS-SA), has been prevailing in adsorption of chromium (III) (Cr(III)) containing contaminant. However, the traditional desorption of CS-SA-Cr(III) to recycle the adsorbent faces the problems including chemical desorbents secondary pollution, resource waste of the terminal CS-SA adsorbents, and tedious work of reusing the desorbed Cr(III). Herein, the adsorption product, CS-SA-Cr(III) gel, was degraded to CS/SA/Cr(III) sol and applied in leather re-tanning and filling processes directly. To achieve this goal, three degradation methods were used to transform the gel to sol. Due to the excellent overall performance of the CS/SA/Cr(III)-HMD4 sol (obtained by the hydrothermal-mechanical degradation method for 4 h (HMD4)), including wide size and distribution range, moderate viscosity (54 ± 3.1 mPa·s), high electronegativity (−38.6 ± 5.8 mV), and good stability, the resultant leather after re-tanning and filling by the sol achieved fascinating properties such as good thermal stability (Ts, 116.8 ± 1.8 °C; Td, 94.2 ± 1.7 °C), mechanical performance (tensile strength, 6.9 ± 0.52 MPa; elongation at break, 95 ± 3.0 %), and superduper thickening rate (31.8 %). Moreover, the mechanism of good re-tanning and filling effects was deciphered. Therefore, this work intends to overcome the limitation of traditional desorption technology and further realizes the high-valued application of the exhausted CS-SA-Cr(III) in leather re-tanning and filling processes.