Table 4.

Biomedical utility of QCh-derived hydrogels.

Objective	Components	Research Highlights	References
Multifunctional QCh-based polyacrylamide hydrogel was developed that contained hemostatic and skin adhesive properties	QCh, Matrigel-polyacrylamide	The developed hybrid hydrogel had a three-dimensional microporous integrity and exhibited high mechanical strength and good adhesiveness with low toxicity. The outcomes from the histology study demonstrated improvement in wound healing, collagen deposition, and stimulation of skin adnexal regeneration. The developed QCh-based antibacterial hydrogel demonstrated promising potential for designing wound dressing materials.	[118]
Dual crosslinked QCh-clindamycin loaded hydrogel was prepared to manage methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) bacteria	QCh, clindamycin	The developed nanocomposite-embedded hydrogel withstood sufficient mechanical and injectable efficiencies. The system responded on variable pH that enabled maximum interaction with MRSA bacteria (90% killed) in acidic conditions and overcame the antibiotic resistance challenge.	[119]
A novel wound dressing-based injectable hydrogel was designed employing QCh and PLEL (PLEL-nBG-QCS-C) hydrogel to promote angiogenesis.	QCh and PLEL [Poly (D, L-lactide)-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (D,L-lactide)] and bioactive glass	PLEL hydrogels preloaded with bioactive glass (CaO-SiO2-P2O5) could efficiently seal the broken skin and increase the cure rate of wounds. Additionally, they were thermosensitive, tissue adhesive, and antibacterial.	[120]
QCh-based timolol maleate thermosensitive hydrogel was prepared for improved ophthalmic disorders.	Timolol maleate, Sodium hydrogen carbonate, QCh	The developed transparent thermosensitive hydrogel presented desirable porosity, swelling index, and biodegradability. The addition of sodium hydrogen carbonate enabled enhanced thermosensitivity to the system. In vitro drug release revealed the initial burst release in early hours followed by controlled release of timolol maleate for a week. This supported the potential use of the developed hydrogel for glaucoma management.	[121]
Dopamine-gelatin-crosslinked QCh injectable hydrogel was prepared to localize delivery for the combat of Parkinson and associated inflammation as well.	Dopamine, QCh, Metronidazole, gelatin	The formulated injectable hydrogel exhibited sufficient rheological parameters. The cytocompatibility of hydrogel revealed the cell viability and proliferation of L929 fibroblast cells. In vitro study exposed localized release of both dopamine and metronidazole.	[122]
QCh-based pH-sensitive veterinary hydrogel vaccine for improved cellular and humoral responses.	QCh, MontanideTM ISA206 and glycerophosphate	The developed hydrogel was biocompatible, safe, and had efficiencies to adsorb inactivated porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Moreover, the system ruled out the downsides of mineral oil side effects and encouraged immunogenicity.	[123]
Development of NQC-loaded thermostable and multifunctional hydrogel	N-quaternized chitosan (NQC), poly vinyl alcohol, glutaraldehyde	Different hydrogels on varying concentration of NQC and PVA were designed to modify metal ion uptake, swelling capacity, compatibility, and antibacterial efficacy.	[124]