Experimental and Finite Element Analysis of a Residual Hair Keratin-Based Hydrogel with Calcium for Atorvastatin Sequestration, Release, and In Vitro Activity

    February 2026 in “ Macromolecular Bioscience ”
    Evan Carroll, Andrew Tarabokija, Henna Chaudhry, Allison S. Meer, Roche C. de Guzman
    TLDR Keratin-based hydrogels with calcium are effective for delivering anti-fibrotic drugs.
    This study explores the use of keratin-based hydrogels (KRT) derived from human hair as carriers for localized delivery of atorvastatin (Ator), an anti-fibrotic drug. The incorporation of calcium (CKRT) enhances the hydrogel's ability to sequester and release Ator by improving electrostatic interactions. The hydrogels were characterized for their chemical composition, charge properties, porosity, and rheology, showing promising results for controlled drug delivery. In vitro assays confirmed the biocompatibility of CKRT and the preserved bioactivity of Ator, with effective concentrations for mesenchymal stem and fibroblast cell lines. The study concludes that CKRT is a robust platform for anti-fibrotic drug delivery, supported by extensive physicochemical and mechanical characterization.
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