Research Trends in Saccharide-based Supramolecular Hydrogels

Supramolecular hydrogels formed by self-assembly of low-molecular-weight amphiphiles (hydrogelators) in water via multiple weak non-covalent interactions have attracted considerable attention as functional soft materials. Because the supramolecular hydrogels can immobilise artificial- or bio-molecules under semi-wet conditions without drying or troublesome chemical processes, their application as biomaterials has been actively attempted. In this field, saccharides have been considered as important components of hydrogelators, as they are biocompatible and not only function as hydrophilic groups but also serve as hydrogen bonding sites due to the several hydroxyl groups present in their structure. In this mini-review, recent advances in the use of saccharides in supramolecular hydrogels research are introduced.