Biodegradable Peptide Hydrogels for Precision Drug Release: Advances and Future Perspectives

Mubaraq Damilare Yussuf; Chukwunonso Augustine Ikedionu; Amina Jafaru Ocheinehi; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Eniola Blessing Olaoye; Mariam Damilola Olawuyi

doi:10.5455/EJSRR.20250307022206

Abstract
Biodegradable peptide hydrogels have emerged as a promising platform for precision drug release, offering controlled, sustained, and targeted therapeutic delivery. These hydrogels, formed through the self-assembly of short peptides, exhibit excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable mechanical properties, making them ideal carriers for various bioactive molecules. Recent advances in peptide hydrogel design have enabled enhanced drug loading capacity, stimuli-responsive release, and improved stability, addressing key challenges in drug delivery systems. This review explores the molecular design, structural properties, and drug-release mechanisms of biodegradable peptide hydrogels, highlighting their applications in cancer therapy, wound healing, and antimicrobial treatments. Furthermore, we discuss current challenges and future perspectives in optimizing these biomaterials for clinical translation. The continued development of peptide-based hydrogels holds great potential for advancing precision medicine and personalized drug delivery.

Key words: Peptide hydrogels, biodegradable materials, precision drug release, controlled drug delivery, self-assembly, stimuli-responsive hydrogels, biomedical applications, nanomedicine, biocompatibility, therapeutic carriers.