BACKGROUND

Several injectable hydrogels have been developed extensively for a broad range of biomedical applications. Injectable hydrogels forming through the change in external stimuli have the distinct properties of easy management and minimal invasiveness, and thus provide the advantage of bypassing surgical procedures for administration resulting in better patient compliance.

METHODS

The injectable -forming hydrogels can be formed irreversibly or reversibly under physiological stimuli. Among several external stimuli that induce formation of hydrogels , in this review, we focused on the electrostatic interactions as the most simple and interesting stimulus.

RESULTS

Currently, numerous polyelectrolytes have been reported as potential electrostatically interactive -forming hydrogels. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the rapidly developing electrostatically interactive -forming hydrogels, which are produced by various anionic and cationic polyelectrolytes such as chitosan, celluloses, and alginates, has been outlined and summarized. Further, their biomedical applications have also been discussed.

CONCLUSION

The review concludes with perspectives on the future of electrostatically interactive -forming hydrogels.