Recent advances in the bile acid based conjugates/derivatives towards their gelation applications

Bile acids have contributed immensely to hydrogel research due to their peculiar physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. The wide accessibility of bile acids and their straightforward derivatization methods make them attractive building blocks for the design of novel hydrogels systems to deliver biomolecules, drugs, and vaccines. This review conceptualizes recent developments in bile acid-based hydrogels and their applications. These bile-based hydrogels have the ability to absorb carbon dioxide efficiently and may potentially work as alternative materials for carbon dioxide capture and storage. The hydrogels hold great potential in medicine and biology applications as drug carriers and models for fundamental self-assembly in pathological conditions. Herein, we have summarized the efforts that have been made for the development of molecular hydrogels in terms of biocompatibility, therapeutic applications, and challenges associated with existing molecular hydrogels.

Automated summary

Bile acids have unique physicochemical properties and biocompatibility, making them attractive for designing novel hydrogels to deliver biomolecules, drugs, and vaccines. These bile-based hydrogels have the potential to efficiently absorb carbon dioxide and serve as alternative materials for carbon dioxide capture and storage, as well as drug carriers and models for self-assembly in pathological conditions. Efforts have been made to develop molecular hydrogels with a focus on biocompatibility, therapeutic applications, and challenges associated with existing molecular hydrogels.