- Polysaccharides are increasingly being utilized as biomaterials in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their natural abundance, structural diversity, biocompatibility, and ability to be chemically modified for specific biomedical applications.
- Their unique physicochemical and biological properties, including hydrophilicity, biodegradability, and capacity to form gels, films, and scaffolds, make them particularly suitable for designing materials that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and support cell growth, differentiation, and tissue repair. Moreover, many polysaccharides possess bioactive functions, such as immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, which further enhance their therapeutic potential.
- One of the most widely used polysaccharides in tissue engineering is chitosan, derived from chitin. Chitosan’s cationic nature allows it to interact with negatively charged cell membranes, growth factors, and nucleic acids, making it valuable for wound healing, cartilage regeneration, and gene delivery. It can be fabricated into hydrogels, sponges, membranes, and nanoparticles, providing versatile platforms for tissue scaffolds. Its inherent antimicrobial activity adds an extra layer of protection in wound dressings and implantable biomaterials.
- Alginate, extracted from brown algae, is another important polysaccharide widely used in regenerative medicine. Its ability to undergo ionic crosslinking with calcium ions allows the formation of hydrogels that closely mimic soft tissue environments. Alginate hydrogels are highly biocompatible and have been applied in cartilage repair, wound dressings, and encapsulation of cells for transplantation. Similarly, agarose, a polysaccharide from red algae, provides a stable gel network that supports neuronal regeneration and cartilage tissue engineering.
- Hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan in connective tissues, plays a central role in cell signaling, wound healing, and angiogenesis. Its incorporation into scaffolds enhances cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, making it highly valuable in skin repair, cartilage regeneration, and ophthalmology. Modified HA derivatives with tailored degradation rates and mechanical properties are used in injectable hydrogels, dermal fillers, and drug delivery systems.
- Other polysaccharides with biomedical applications include dextran, pullulan, and cellulose derivatives. Dextran-based hydrogels are used for drug delivery and tissue scaffolding due to their high water retention capacity. Pullulan, with excellent film-forming properties, is applied in wound dressings and bioactive coatings. Cellulose and its derivatives, particularly nanocellulose, provide strong yet biocompatible scaffolds for bone and cartilage engineering. Additionally, sulfated polysaccharides like fucoidan and carrageenan have been explored for promoting angiogenesis, modulating immune responses, and enhancing tissue regeneration.
- The integration of polysaccharides into composite biomaterials further enhances their performance. For instance, combining chitosan or alginate with synthetic polymers, bioactive ceramics (hydroxyapatite), or nanoparticles improves mechanical strength, osteoconductivity, and bioactivity, making them suitable for bone regeneration. Polysaccharide-based hydrogels can also serve as drug and growth factor carriers, enabling localized and sustained release to promote tissue repair.
- In regenerative medicine, polysaccharide scaffolds are applied in a wide range of tissues, including skin, cartilage, bone, nerve, and cardiovascular systems. For example, chitosan-based scaffolds accelerate re-epithelialization in skin wounds, while alginate and HA hydrogels support chondrocyte proliferation in cartilage engineering. Polysaccharide-based nerve conduits have also shown promise in guiding axonal regeneration in peripheral nerve injuries.
