A lubcan cross-linked polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether hydrogel for hyaluronic acid replacement as soft tissue engineering fillers.

The structure of soft tissues is often destroyed by injury and aging. Injectable fillers eliminate the need for surgery and enhance repair. Hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels are commonly employed for their effectiveness and biocompatibility. However, hyaluronidase breaks them down quickly. Lubcan, a naturally sourced microbial extracellular polysaccharide, has demonstrated significant water absorption and retention capabilities, as well as lubricating properties comparable to those of hyaluronic acid. In this study, a novel injectable and implantable hydrogel was created from lubcan by adding polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether as a cross-linking agent. Lubcan hydrogels exhibit exceptional thermal stability, favorable swelling behavior, in vitro degradation, compressive strength, injectability, and rheological properties, all while preserving the integrity of their three-dimensional porous structure. In vitro tests indicated that the lubcan hydrogel was non-cytotoxic, did not adhere to blood cells, and exhibited good hemocompatibility. Compared to the subcutaneous injection of commercially available hyaluronic acid hydrogels, lubcan hydrogels demonstrated superior integrity, persistence, and a softer texture in Balb/c mice after 16 weeks. At the same time, lubcan hydrogel is non-toxic to organs, does not affect blood biochemical test values, and is non-immunogenic in mice. These findings suggest that lubcan hydrogel may be a promising new superficial soft tissue filler.