Advances in stimuli-responsive hydrogels for liver disease therapy: mechanisms, applications, and translational perspectives.

The liver is a pivotal organ for metabolic and immune homeostasis, playing an essential role in maintaining physiological balance. Globally, the increasing incidence and mortality of liver diseases constitute a critical public health issue. However, conventional therapies are often limited by their inability to precisely target the pathological microenvironment of the liver, frequently resulting in either insufficient efficacy or excessive tissue damage. With notable biocompatibility, a tunable porous architecture, and smart responsive capabilities, hydrogels hold considerable promise as drug carriers for treating liver diseases. This review evaluates the core design principles and therapeutic value of stimuli-responsive hydrogels in liver disease, compares hydrogel systems, details their responsive modes, and highlights recent progress in antitumor, antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, and immunomodulatory therapy. Ultimately, the present review examines the key challenges and future directions for translating stimuli-responsive hydrogels into more precise, safe, and personalized therapies for liver diseases.