Chirality Effect on Physical and Biological Properties of Peptide-Based Hydrogels

The review examines the influence of chirality on peptide-based hydrogels, focusing on how L- and D-amino acids, as well as their combinations, affect the secondary structure, morphology, and mechanical properties of these materials. Chirality impacts the spatial organization of peptide structures, influencing their assembly into supramolecular structures and altering properties like solubility, aggregation, and gelation. Homochiral peptides generally form stronger hydrogels, while heterochiral peptides can lead to distinct structural and mechanical characteristics. The study highlights the potential of chiral hydrogels in biomedical applications, such as drug delivery and tissue engineering, due to their ability to modulate biological responses and enhance resistance to enzymatic degradation.