A comprehensive review of unlocking the potential of lignin-derived biomaterials: from lignin structure to biomedical application
Abstract Inspired by natural organisms, biomimetic materials with exceptional biocompatibility, degradability, and multifunctionality have emerged as promising candidates for biomedical applications. Lignin, a plant-derived organic polymer, has gained attention due to its intrinsic antioxidant activ...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Nanobiotechnology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03604-7 |
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| author | Jixiang Zhao Minyu Zhu Wei Jin Jinlan Zhang Guangyu Fan Yifan Feng Zhuo Li Siming Wang Jung Seung Lee Guangxiang Luan Zhengqi Dong Ying Li |
| author_facet | Jixiang Zhao Minyu Zhu Wei Jin Jinlan Zhang Guangyu Fan Yifan Feng Zhuo Li Siming Wang Jung Seung Lee Guangxiang Luan Zhengqi Dong Ying Li |
| author_sort | Jixiang Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Inspired by natural organisms, biomimetic materials with exceptional biocompatibility, degradability, and multifunctionality have emerged as promising candidates for biomedical applications. Lignin, a plant-derived organic polymer, has gained attention due to its intrinsic antioxidant activity, adhesive properties, and biocompatibility. Despite its structural advantages, challenges in stability, biodegradability, and practical implementation hinder its utilization. Structural modifications through chemical/physical treatments or microbial/enzymatic can optimize lignin’s bioactivity, mechanical strength, and adhesion, enabling applications in drug delivery, Ultraviolet (UV) shielding, sensing, and wound healing. This review outlines lignin sources, modification principles, and adhesion of biomaterials mechanisms, while showcasing innovative lignin-based materials in biomedical contexts. We highlight their roles in therapeutic delivery systems, tissue engineering & regenerative medicine, and functional biomedical devices, emphasizing lignin’s low toxicity and environmental adaptability. By addressing current limitations in processing techniques and clinical translation, we discuss lignin’s potential to bridge laboratory research and practical medical solutions. The analysis concludes with an evaluation of lignin’s untapped value in sustainable biomedicine, proposing strategies to overcome scalability and standardization barriers. This synthesis provides critical insights for advancing lignin-based technologies toward clinical implementation while maintaining ecological sustainability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c5ea5bcda92e415b88ff55367f99ec93 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1477-3155 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Nanobiotechnology |
| spelling | doaj-art-c5ea5bcda92e415b88ff55367f99ec932025-08-20T03:46:27ZengBMCJournal of Nanobiotechnology1477-31552025-07-0123113910.1186/s12951-025-03604-7A comprehensive review of unlocking the potential of lignin-derived biomaterials: from lignin structure to biomedical applicationJixiang Zhao0Minyu Zhu1Wei Jin2Jinlan Zhang3Guangyu Fan4Yifan Feng5Zhuo Li6Siming Wang7Jung Seung Lee8Guangxiang Luan9Zhengqi Dong10Ying Li11Department of Pharmacy, Medical College, Qinghai UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, Medical College, Qinghai UniversityState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeNortheast Asian Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)Department of Pharmacy, Medical College, Qinghai UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, Medical College, Qinghai UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, Medical College, Qinghai UniversityAbstract Inspired by natural organisms, biomimetic materials with exceptional biocompatibility, degradability, and multifunctionality have emerged as promising candidates for biomedical applications. Lignin, a plant-derived organic polymer, has gained attention due to its intrinsic antioxidant activity, adhesive properties, and biocompatibility. Despite its structural advantages, challenges in stability, biodegradability, and practical implementation hinder its utilization. Structural modifications through chemical/physical treatments or microbial/enzymatic can optimize lignin’s bioactivity, mechanical strength, and adhesion, enabling applications in drug delivery, Ultraviolet (UV) shielding, sensing, and wound healing. This review outlines lignin sources, modification principles, and adhesion of biomaterials mechanisms, while showcasing innovative lignin-based materials in biomedical contexts. We highlight their roles in therapeutic delivery systems, tissue engineering & regenerative medicine, and functional biomedical devices, emphasizing lignin’s low toxicity and environmental adaptability. By addressing current limitations in processing techniques and clinical translation, we discuss lignin’s potential to bridge laboratory research and practical medical solutions. The analysis concludes with an evaluation of lignin’s untapped value in sustainable biomedicine, proposing strategies to overcome scalability and standardization barriers. This synthesis provides critical insights for advancing lignin-based technologies toward clinical implementation while maintaining ecological sustainability.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03604-7 |
| spellingShingle | Jixiang Zhao Minyu Zhu Wei Jin Jinlan Zhang Guangyu Fan Yifan Feng Zhuo Li Siming Wang Jung Seung Lee Guangxiang Luan Zhengqi Dong Ying Li A comprehensive review of unlocking the potential of lignin-derived biomaterials: from lignin structure to biomedical application Journal of Nanobiotechnology |
| title | A comprehensive review of unlocking the potential of lignin-derived biomaterials: from lignin structure to biomedical application |
| title_full | A comprehensive review of unlocking the potential of lignin-derived biomaterials: from lignin structure to biomedical application |
| title_fullStr | A comprehensive review of unlocking the potential of lignin-derived biomaterials: from lignin structure to biomedical application |
| title_full_unstemmed | A comprehensive review of unlocking the potential of lignin-derived biomaterials: from lignin structure to biomedical application |
| title_short | A comprehensive review of unlocking the potential of lignin-derived biomaterials: from lignin structure to biomedical application |
| title_sort | comprehensive review of unlocking the potential of lignin derived biomaterials from lignin structure to biomedical application |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03604-7 |
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