A Biodegradable, Adhesive and Stretchable Hydrogel and Potential Applications for Allergic Rhinitis and Epistaxis.

Bioadhesive hydrogels have attracted considerable attention as innovative materials in medical interventions and human-machine interface engineering. Despite significant advances in their application, it remains critical to develop adhesive hydrogels that meet the requirements for biocompatibility, biodegradability, long-term strong adhesion and efficient drug delivery vehicles in moist condition. We propose a biocompatible, biodegradable, soft and stretchable hydrogel made from a combination of a biopolymer (unmodified natural gelatin) and stretchable biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) to achieve durable and tough adhesion, and explore its use for convenient and effective intranasal hemostasis and drug administration. Desirable hemostasis efficacy and enhanced therapeutic outcomes for allergic rhinitis are accomplished. Biodegradation enables spontaneous removal of materials without causing secondary damage and minimize medical waste. Preliminary trials on human subjects provide an essential foundation for practical applications. This work elucidates material strategies for biodegradable adhesive hydrogels, which are critical to achieve robust material interfaces and advanced drug delivery platforms for novel clinical treatments. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.