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Polyglycerols (PGs) and their derivatives are promising biomaterials for fabricating hydrogels due to their high performance and inherent physicochemical (e.g., hydrophilicity, and long-term temperature and pH stabilities) as well as biological (e.g., cyto-/bio-compatibility, biodegradability, and minimal cell adhesion and protein absorption) properties. These hydrogels are suitable candidates for many biomedical applications such as drug, biomacromolecules, and gene delivery, regenerative medicine, and diagnostic molecules carrier for various imagines. The presence of functional hydroxyl groups on the polyether backbone allows further modification of the PGs structures, and increasing their solubilities, targeting abilities, and biocompatibilities. In addition, PGs can be incorporated into “smart” systems to afford stimuli-responsive hydrogels that provide the possibility of changing the mechanical and biochemical properties widely for the hydrogels. Addressing some challenges, including industrial-scale production of PGs with precise branching and controlled molecular weight, refine the synthesis and purification processes, and designing novel biodegradable crosslinkers can be facilitate the manufacturing of PGs-based hydrogels for various biomedical applications. This review consolidates the recent progresses in the synthesis and properties of PGs, and biomedical applications of PGs-based hydrogels.
Zare et al. (Thu,) studied this question.