An Injectable Hybrid Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA)/Phenyl Isothiocyanate-Modified Gelatin (Gel-Phe) Bioadhesive for Oral/Dental Hemostasis Applications

Biomaterials are widely used for effectively controlling bleeding in oral/dental surgical procedures. Here, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) was synthesized by grafting methacrylic anhydride on gelatin backbone, and phenyl isothiocyanate-modified gelatin (Gel-Phe) was synthesized by conjugating different gelatin/phenyl isothiocyanate molar ratios (G/P ratios) (i.e., 1:1, 1:5, 1:10, 1:15, 1:25, 1:50, 1:100, and 1:150) with gelatin polymer chains. Afterward, we combined GelMA and Gel-Phe as an injectable and photo-crosslinkable bioadhesive. This hybrid material system combines photo-crosslinking chemistry and supramolecular interactions for the design of bioadhesives exhibiting a highly porous structure, injectability, and regulable mechanical properties. By simply regulating the G/P ratio (1:1–1:15) and UV exposure times (15–60 s), it was possible to modulate the injectability and mechanical properties of the GelMA/Gel-Phe bioadhesive. Moreover, we demonstrated that the GelMA/Gel-Phe bioadhesive showed low cytotoxicity, a highly porous network, and the phenyl-isothiourea and amine residues on Gel-Phe and GelMA polymers with synergized hemostatic properties towards fast blood absorption and rapid clotting effect. An in vitro porcine skin bleeding and an in vitro dental bleeding model confirmed that the bioadhesive could be directly extruded into the bleeding site, rapidly photo-crosslinked, and reduced blood clotting time by 45%. Moreover, the in situ crosslinked bioadhesive could be easily removed from the bleeding site after clotting, avoiding secondary wound injury. Overall, this injectable GelMA/Gel-Phe bioadhesive stands as a promising hemostatic material in oral/dental surgical procedures.