Peptide-based supramolecular hydrogels and their biotherapeutic applications

Abstract

In recent years, supramolecular hydrogels have made groundbreaking research progress in biomedical fields such as drug delivery, biosensing, imaging analysis, and tissue engineering. Peptides, with their unique characteristics of facile preparation, low immunogenicity and easy biodegradability, are commonly used as building blocks of supramolecular hydrogels. Peptide-based supramolecular hydrogels loaded with drugs, prepared via physical means or covalent crosslinking, possess unique three-dimensional network structures and strong water retention capacities. These properties enhance drug bioavailability and reduce side effects, enabling drug accumulation and responsive release at disease sites, significantly improving therapeutic efficacy. Here, we review recent advancements in peptide-based supramolecular hydrogels and their biotherapeutic applications, including chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatments, as well as other biological applications. This review aims to provide new inspirations for development of biomaterials in the therapeutic field and provide more personalized options for disease treatment. Additionally, challenges and limitations in this field are briefly discussed.