Non-cytotoxic conductive carboxymethyl-chitosan/aniline pentamer hydrogels

Cytocompatible electrically conducting hydrogels based on amphoteric carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and aniline oligomers with bioactive molecule delivery properties were presented. A series of conductive CMCS hydrogels with different aniline pentamer (AP) content were synthesized by a one-pot reaction with the combination of grafting and crosslinking reaction via glutaraldehyde. The conductivities of the swollen hydrogels are between 1.14 × 10−4 and 4.23 × 10−4 S/cm by tuning the AP content. Swelling ratio was controlled by the AP content and crosslinking degree of the hydrogels. The hydrogels showed absorption capacity of diclofenac sodium (DCS) as a model molecule and released DCS in a controlled manner. Morphologies and mechanical properties of the hydrogels were characterized by SEM and rheometer, respectively. The biocompatibility of the hydrogels was confirmed by C2C12 myoblast cells using Live/Dead assay and Alamar blue assay. These conducting hydrogels with controlled release capacity as bioactive scaffolds have potential application for tissue regeneration.