Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Hydrogels Containing Astragalus Polysaccharide for Cartilage Repair

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels have been extensively utilized in cartilage repair due to their hydrophilicity and superior biocompatibility. However, achieving cartilage repair materials with optimal mechanical, structural, and biological properties has remained challenging. In this study, multiple groups of composite hydrogels were prepared using PVA, chitosan, and agarose via a freeze-thaw cycle method, and their performances were comprehensively evaluated. We identified that a composite hydrogel consisting of 15 wt% PVA, 1.5 wt% chitosan, and 1 wt% agarose possessed a porous structure, high tensile strength, suitable water content, and swelling rate, alongside excellent blood compatibility and noncytotoxicity. Building on this formulation, a novel hydrogel was developed by incorporating astragalus polysaccharide. This new hydrogel was assessed for its biocompatibility and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. The findings revealed that this enhanced hydrogel significantly promoted cell growth and adhesion, inhibited the inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide, positioning it as a promising candidate for cartilage repair materials.