2. Academic Validation
  3. Biocompatible injectable glycyrrhizic acid-based growth factor hydrogel for synergistic endometrial regeneration

Biocompatible injectable glycyrrhizic acid-based growth factor hydrogel for synergistic endometrial regeneration

  • Mater Today Bio. 2025 Nov 4:35:102521. doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2025.102521.
Hongqiao Cai 1,  Jing Wang 2,  Yanan Zheng 3,  Jiaqi Wen 3,  Hongru Li 3 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
  • 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nong'an County People's Hospital, 98 Nongan Road, Jilin, Changchun, 130200, China.
  • 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 4026 Yatai Street, Changchun, 130000, China.
  • 4 College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, China.
PMID: 41281649 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2025.102521
Abstract

Regenerative therapies for endometrial repair are crucial for treating intrauterine adhesions (IUA) and restoring fertility. In this study, we present a biocompatible injectable GHD hydrogel based on glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and dopamine-modified hyaluronic acid (HA-DA) for synergistic endometrial regeneration. The hydrogel demonstrated shear-thinning behavior and rapid gelation, making it suitable for minimally invasive delivery. The BB/OA/GHD with the dual incorporation of Oroxylin A (OA) and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), exhibited sustained release of OA and PDGF-BB, and favorable degradation over 8 days. In an IUA rat model, the BB/OA/GHD significantly restored endometrial thickness, gland density, and stromal organization. Mechanistically, the BB/OA/GHD reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and Collagen deposition, while enhancing VEGFA-mediated angiogenesis. The BB/OA/GHD group demonstrated superior fertility restoration, with increased embryo and fetus numbers and improved live birth rates compared to Other treatments. These results highlight the potential of the BB/OA/GHD as a therapeutic platform for endometrial regeneration and fertility restoration, offering a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of endometrial dysfunction and infertility.

Keywords

Endometrial regeneration; Glycyrrhizic acid; Growth factor; Hydrogel; Synergistic.

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