Biomedical Applications of Polyurethane Hydrogels, Polyurethane Aerogels, and Polyurethane-graphene Nanocomposite Materials

Abstract

Background: The emergence of new diseases poses therapeutic challenges in modern medicine. Polyurethane hydrogels that comprise polyol, copolymer and extender could be prepared from diverse chemical compounds with adjuvants such as ascorbic acid and sorbitol, among others. Their mechano-physicochemical properties are functions of their biological activities. Therefore, there is a need to assess their therapeutic potentials. Methods: Relevant literature on the synthesis and medical uses of polyurethane-hydrogels, polyurethane- aerogels, and polyurethane-graphene nanocomposite materials was searched in order to identify their sources, synthesis, mechanical and physiochemical properties, biomedical applications, chirality, and the relevance of Lipinski's rule of five in the synthesis of oral polyurethane nanocomposite materials. Results: The prepared hydrogels and aerogels could be used as polymer carriers for intradermal, cutaneous, and intranasal drugs. They can be fabricated and used as prosthetics. In addition, the strength modulus (tensile stress-tensile strain ratio), biodegradability, biocompatibility, and nontoxic effects of the polyurethane hydrogels and aerogels are highly desirable properties. However, body and environmental temperatures may contribute to their instability; hence, there is need to improve the synthesis of aerogels and hydrogels of polyurethane in order to ensure that they can last for many years. Alcoholism, diabetes, pyrogenic diseases, mechanical and physical forces, and physiological variability may also reduce the life span of polyurethane aerogels and hydrogels. Conclusion: Synthesis of polyurethane hydrogel-aerogel complex that can be used in complex, rare biomedical cases is of paramount importance. These hydrogels and aerogels may be hydrophobic, hydrophilic, aerophobic-aerophilic or amphiphilic, and sometimes lipophilic, depending on structural components and the intended biomedical uses. Polyurethane graphene nanocomposite materials are used in the treatment of a myriad of diseases, including cancer and bacterial infection.