Purpose The purpose of this review is to examine recent advancements in cellulose-based biomaterials and evaluate their potential for diverse medical applications. As a renewable, biodegradable, and biocompatible natural polymer, cellulose and its derivatives are being increasingly explored for use in tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, biosensing, and the development of implantable medical devices. This review discusses the properties, current applications, challenges, and prospects of these materials in biomedical science. Methods The published literature on cellulose-based biomaterials was systematically analyzed, focusing on both natural and synthetic forms, including microcrystalline cellulose, nanocellulose, bacterial cellulose, and chemically modified derivatives. Studies involving fabrication technologies such as nanotechnology, 3D bioprinting, and composite development were compared to evaluate their performance, mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and therapeutic potential. Results Cellulose-based biomaterials demonstrate excellent biodegradability, low toxicity, tunable surface chemistry, and structural versatility. These features enable their use in bone and cartilage regeneration, wound dressings, drug delivery systems, nerve repair scaffolds, artificial blood vessels, biosensors, and ophthalmic implants. Advanced techniques, such as nanocellulose reinforcement, smart composites, and 3D-printed cellulose scaffolds, have significantly enhanced the mechanical strength, bioactivity, and functionality of materials. Despite these advancements, limitations including mechanical brittleness, low intrinsic bioactivity, and high purification or processing costs remain key challenges. Conclusion Cellulose-based biomaterials represent a promising class of sustainable and multifunctional materials for modern healthcare. Continued progress in nanotechnology, 3D bioprinting, surface modification, and innovative delivery systems is expected to overcome current challenges and expand the biomedical utility of these technologies. With ongoing research, these materials are poised to provide cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and clinically beneficial solutions for tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound healing, and medical implants. Lay Summary Cellulose is a natural material found in plants and some bacteria. Because it is safe, biodegradable, and versatile, scientists are now utilizing various forms of cellulose to develop new medical materials. These cellulose-based materials can aid in wound healing, deliver medications, repair damaged tissues, and facilitate the creation of medical devices such as sensors and artificial blood vessels. Advancements in technology, such as the production of tiny cellulose particles, the combination of cellulose with other materials, and 3D printing, have improved the strength and functionality of these materials. Although challenges remain, such as improving their strength and reducing production costs, ongoing research suggests that cellulose biomaterials could become a significant, eco-friendly option for future medical treatments. They may help create better wound dressings, safer implants, and more advanced drug delivery systems that support faster healing and improved patient care. Graphical Abstract

Recent Advancements in Cellulose-Based Biomaterials for Medical Applications

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年8月3日

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Jyoti Prakash Guru,
Dinesh Kumar Sharma

摘要

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to examine recent advancements in cellulose-based biomaterials and evaluate their potential for diverse medical applications. As a renewable, biodegradable, and biocompatible natural polymer, cellulose and its derivatives are being increasingly explored for use in tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, biosensing, and the development of implantable medical devices. This review discusses the properties, current applications, challenges, and prospects of these materials in biomedical science.

Methods

The published literature on cellulose-based biomaterials was systematically analyzed, focusing on both natural and synthetic forms, including microcrystalline cellulose, nanocellulose, bacterial cellulose, and chemically modified derivatives. Studies involving fabrication technologies such as nanotechnology, 3D bioprinting, and composite development were compared to evaluate their performance, mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and therapeutic potential.

Results

Cellulose-based biomaterials demonstrate excellent biodegradability, low toxicity, tunable surface chemistry, and structural versatility. These features enable their use in bone and cartilage regeneration, wound dressings, drug delivery systems, nerve repair scaffolds, artificial blood vessels, biosensors, and ophthalmic implants. Advanced techniques, such as nanocellulose reinforcement, smart composites, and 3D-printed cellulose scaffolds, have significantly enhanced the mechanical strength, bioactivity, and functionality of materials. Despite these advancements, limitations including mechanical brittleness, low intrinsic bioactivity, and high purification or processing costs remain key challenges.

Conclusion

Cellulose-based biomaterials represent a promising class of sustainable and multifunctional materials for modern healthcare. Continued progress in nanotechnology, 3D bioprinting, surface modification, and innovative delivery systems is expected to overcome current challenges and expand the biomedical utility of these technologies. With ongoing research, these materials are poised to provide cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and clinically beneficial solutions for tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound healing, and medical implants.

Lay Summary

Cellulose is a natural material found in plants and some bacteria. Because it is safe, biodegradable, and versatile, scientists are now utilizing various forms of cellulose to develop new medical materials. These cellulose-based materials can aid in wound healing, deliver medications, repair damaged tissues, and facilitate the creation of medical devices such as sensors and artificial blood vessels. Advancements in technology, such as the production of tiny cellulose particles, the combination of cellulose with other materials, and 3D printing, have improved the strength and functionality of these materials. Although challenges remain, such as improving their strength and reducing production costs, ongoing research suggests that cellulose biomaterials could become a significant, eco-friendly option for future medical treatments. They may help create better wound dressings, safer implants, and more advanced drug delivery systems that support faster healing and improved patient care.

Graphical Abstract