Engineering Peptide-Based Hydrogels: Smart Therapeutic Platforms for Inflammatory Disorders

Chronic inflammatory diseases continue to impose a substantial global health burden owing to their multifactorial etiology and the limitations of conventional available strategies. Although conventional anti-inflammatory therapies often provide initial symptomatic relief, their prolonged use can result in undesirable adverse effects and diminished efficiency. In this scenario, peptide-based hydrogels have attracted growing interest as adaptable therapeutic systems that can provide precise, targeted intervention. Owing to their biocompatibility and tunable physicochemical properties, they enable the design of tailored, stimuli-responsive delivery systems. Moreover, their ability to encapsulate anti-inflammatory entities facilitates localized immunomodulation and promotes tissue regeneration in chronically inflamed conditions. This review outlines design considerations and stimulus-responsive behavior of peptide-based hydrogels. Furthermore, this review highlights the ability of these hydrogel platforms to encapsulate and deliver anti-inflammatory therapies, thus stimulating tissue regeneration in inflamed areas. Finally, existing limitations, translational obstacles, and major future perspectives are reviewed to shed light on the therapeutic potential and development trajectory of peptide-based hydrogel systems for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.