Accelerated wound healing by injectable star poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(propylene sulfide) scaffolds loaded with poorly water-soluble drugs.

ABSTRACT: Injectable hydrogel matrices take the shape of a wound cavity and serve as scaffold for tissue repair and regeneration. Yet these materials are generally hydrophilic, limiting the incorporation of poorly water soluble, hydrophobic drugs. Here we show this shortcoming is circumvented through a star-shaped amphiphilic block copolymer comprising poly(ethylene glycol) and poly (propylene sulfide). This star-shaped amphiphilic polymer self-assembles in an aqueous medium into a physically stable hydrogel and effectively dissolves hydrophobic molecules delivering them at therapeutic doses. The self assembled hydrogel is a robust three-dimensional scaffold in vivo effectively promoting cellular infiltration, reducing inflammation, and wound clsoure. When combined with a hydrophobic BRAF inhibitor

SUBMITTER: Zhu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6082662 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature