Abstract In this work, thermosensitive hydrogels formulated with methylcellulose, xanthan gum and/or carboxymethyl chitosan were developed and characterized as a potential treatment for damaged or osteoarthritic joints. The formulations produced experienced a reversible sol–gel transition upon a temperature change from room temperature to 37 °C. Three different drugs were incorporated into the hydrogels: dexamethasone, diclofenac sodium, and gallic acid. The cytotoxicity of the hydrogels was accessed and the hydrogels were also characterized regarding aspect and surface morphology, swelling, and stability, gelling temperature, compressive modulus, FT-IR and drugs release behavior. Sufficiently stable hydrogels with high culture medium absorption capacity were obtained. When freeze-dried, the hydrogels showed a highly interconnected porous structure. The compressive equilibrium and dynamic modulus were higher in the hydrogels with drugs, since gallic acid could crosslink the structures. In summary, the hydrogels produced may be effective candidates for the repair of osteoarthritic joints after minimally invasive surgery.

中文翻译：

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用于软骨组织工程的碳水化合物基热敏水凝胶的开发和表征

摘要 在这项工作中，开发了用甲基纤维素、黄原胶和/或羧甲基壳聚糖配制的热敏水凝胶，并将其表征为一种潜在的治疗受损或骨关节炎关节的方法。当温度从室温变化到 37 °C 时，所生产的配方经历了可逆的溶胶-凝胶转变。三种不同的药物被掺入水凝胶中：地塞米松、双氯芬酸钠和没食子酸。研究了水凝胶的细胞毒性，还对水凝胶的外观和表面形态、溶胀和稳定性、胶凝温度、压缩模量、FT-IR 和药物释放行为进行了表征。获得了具有高培养基吸收能力的足够稳定的水凝胶。冷冻干燥后，水凝胶显示出高度互连的多孔结构。含有药物的水凝胶的压缩平衡和动态模量更高，因为没食子酸可以交联结构。总之，生产的水凝胶可能是微创手术后修复骨关节炎关节的有效候选者。