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Medical Applications of Polymer Materials
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Medical Applications of Polymer Materials

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecules".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 6711

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Zhen Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Interests: synthesis and self-assembly of polymer materials; synthesis of upconversion nanoparticles; construction of advanced assemblies and their biomedical applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer materials play a pivotal role in advancing modern medicine due to their excellent biocompatibility, chemical tunability, mechanical flexibility, and ease of fabrication. These materials support a wide array of biomedical applications, including controlled drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, implantable devices, wound dressings, and diagnostic tools. As the medical field moves toward precision, personalized, and regenerative therapies, the demand for next-generation polymeric systems with tailored functionalities and clinical translatability is rapidly increasing. This Special Issue aims to capture the latest progress in the design, synthesis, characterization, and biomedical development and applications of polymer-based materials. We welcome original research articles and reviews on topics including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Biodegradable, bioresorbable, or responsive polymers for drug delivery;

(2) Polymer scaffolds for tissue regeneration and organ repair;

(3) Functional hydrogels for wound healing and responsive drug release;

(4) Nanocomposites for advanced imaging and theranostic applications;

(5) Surface-engineered polymers with enhanced bioactivity, antibacterial performance, or immune modulation.

Dr. Zhen Zhang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • medical polymers
  • drug delivery
  • tissue engineering
  • medical devices
  • diagnostics

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3381 KB  
Article
Oral Delivery of Liraglutide Formulated with PLGA for Sustained Obesity Management
by Nipeng Chen, Zhipeng Zeng, Xiaoyu Ji, Weijia Huang, Zhen Zhang and Yongming Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3300; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073300 - 5 Apr 2026
Viewed by 578
Abstract
Liraglutide (Lira), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has demonstrated substantial efficacy in improving glycemic control and reducing body weight. However, subcutaneous injection is poorly adherent for patients. To improve treatment compliance, we developed a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based nanovesicle (PLGA-Lira-NV) system for the [...] Read more.
Liraglutide (Lira), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has demonstrated substantial efficacy in improving glycemic control and reducing body weight. However, subcutaneous injection is poorly adherent for patients. To improve treatment compliance, we developed a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based nanovesicle (PLGA-Lira-NV) system for the oral delivery of Lira using a double-emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The optimized formulation yielded a narrow size distribution and high encapsulation efficiency (>95%). In vitro release studies showed that PLGA-Lira-NVs remained relatively stable under acidic conditions (pH 1.2 to 6.8) and exhibited sustained drug release in a neutral environment (pH 7.4), enabling protection of the fragile peptide in the stomach and controlled release after crossing the intestine. Following oral administration to obese mice (10 mg/kg), PLGA-Lira-NVs achieved prolonged glycemic control for up to 72 h. Notably, body weight decreased to 83% of baseline after 12 days, outperforming the subcutaneous injection (free Lira) group (88%). The consistent trend toward weight reduction confirms the sustained-release properties of PLGA nanocarrier for Lira, highlighting its potential to reduce dosing frequency and improve patient compliance. Collectively, these findings underscore the promising potential of PLGA nanovesicles as an oral delivery platform for peptide therapeutics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medical Applications of Polymer Materials)
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24 pages, 5886 KB  
Article
Design, Characterization, and Enhanced Performance of Electrospun Chitosan-Based Nanocomposites Reinforced with Halloysite Nanotubes and Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles for Wound Healing Applications
by Valentina A. Petrova, Natallia V. Dubashynskaya, Sergei G. Zhuravskii, Daria N. Poshina, Alexey S. Golovkin, Alexander I. Mishanin, Iosif V. Gofman, Elena M. Ivan’kova, Maria Y. Naumenko, Galina Y. Yukina, Elena G. Sukhorukova, Arina D. Filippova, Vladimir K. Ivanov, Alexander V. Yakimansky and Yury A. Skorik
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(21), 10520; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110520 - 29 Oct 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1150
Abstract
The development of advanced wound dressings that integrate favorable physico-mechanical properties with the ability to support physiological healing processes remains a critical challenge in biomaterials science. An ideal dressing should modulate the wound microenvironment, prevent infection, maintain hydration, and possess adequate strength and [...] Read more.
The development of advanced wound dressings that integrate favorable physico-mechanical properties with the ability to support physiological healing processes remains a critical challenge in biomaterials science. An ideal dressing should modulate the wound microenvironment, prevent infection, maintain hydration, and possess adequate strength and elasticity. This study aimed to fabricate and characterize electrospun chitosan (CS)-based 3D scaffolds dual-reinforced with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) to enhance material properties and biological performance. HNTs were incorporated to improve electrospinnability and provide mechanical reinforcement, while CeONPs were added for their redox-modulating and anti-inflammatory activities. Composite mats were fabricated via non-capillary electrospinning. The individual and synergistic effects of HNTs and CeONPs were systematically evaluated using physico-chemical methods (SEM, EDX, WAXS, TGA, mechanical testing) and biological assays (in vitro cytocompatibility with mesenchymal stem cells, in vivo biocompatibility, and wound healing efficacy in a rat model). Scaffolds containing only HNTs exhibited defect-free nanofibers with an average diameter of 151 nm, whereas the dual-filler (CS-PEO-HNT-CeONP) composites showed less uniform fibers with a rough surface and a larger average diameter of 233 nm. The dual-filler system demonstrated significantly enhanced mechanical properties, with a Young’s modulus nearly double that of pure CS mats (881 MPa vs. 455 MPa), attributed to strong interfacial interactions. In vivo, the CS-PEO-HNT-CeONP scaffolds degraded more slowly, promoted earlier formation of a connective tissue capsule, and elicited a reduced inflammatory response compared to single-filler systems. Although epithelialization was temporarily delayed, the dual-filler composite ultimately facilitated superior tissue regeneration, characterized by a more organized, native-like collagen architecture. The synergistic combination of HNTs and CeONPs within a CS matrix yields a highly promising scaffold for wound management, offering a unique blend of tailored biodegradability, enhanced mechanical strength, and the ability to guide healing towards a regenerative rather than a fibrotic outcome, particularly for burns and traumatic injuries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medical Applications of Polymer Materials)
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Review

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21 pages, 7386 KB  
Review
Silk-Fibroin-Based Strategies for Myocardial Infarction Repair: A Comprehensive Review
by Shuyan Piao and Yanan Gao
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(6), 2885; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27062885 - 23 Mar 2026
Viewed by 454
Abstract
Myocardial infarction is a major cardiovascular event that leads to heart failure and death. Although current vascular regeneration and pharmacological therapies can salvage some myocardial tissue, they cannot effectively reverse established necrosis, fibrosis, or adverse ventricular remodeling, thus necessitating novel repair strategies. Silk [...] Read more.
Myocardial infarction is a major cardiovascular event that leads to heart failure and death. Although current vascular regeneration and pharmacological therapies can salvage some myocardial tissue, they cannot effectively reverse established necrosis, fibrosis, or adverse ventricular remodeling, thus necessitating novel repair strategies. Silk fibroin (SF), a natural biomaterial, has emerged as an ideal substrate for cardiac tissue engineering owing to its excellent biocompatibility, tunable mechanical properties, and controllable biodegradability. This paper systematically reviews SF-based myocardial repair strategies: SF cardiac patches can be directly applied to infarct areas, providing mechanical support and delivering bioactive substances, while injectable SF hydrogels can be formed in situ via minimally invasive methods, serving as three-dimensional delivery vehicles for cells or drugs. These approaches synergistically promote cardiac repair through multiple mechanisms, including active regulation of inflammation, promotion of angiogenesis, and inhibition of fibrosis. Future development of SF-based therapies will focus on creating smart responsive materials, constructing biomimetic structures via advanced biomanufacturing techniques, and accelerating clinical translation, thereby providing comprehensive solutions for myocardial infarction repair. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medical Applications of Polymer Materials)
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44 pages, 11501 KB  
Review
Tissue Regeneration of Radiation-Induced Skin Damages Using Protein/Polysaccharide-Based Bioengineered Scaffolds and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: A Review
by Stefana Avadanei-Luca, Isabella Nacu, Andrei Nicolae Avadanei, Mihaela Pertea, Bogdan Tamba, Liliana Verestiuc and Viorel Scripcariu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6469; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136469 - 4 Jul 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4076
Abstract
Radiation therapy, a highly effective cancer treatment that targets cancer cells, may produce challenging side effects, including radiation-induced skin tissue injuries. The wound healing process involves complex cellular responses, with key phases including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. However, radiation-induced injuries disrupt this [...] Read more.
Radiation therapy, a highly effective cancer treatment that targets cancer cells, may produce challenging side effects, including radiation-induced skin tissue injuries. The wound healing process involves complex cellular responses, with key phases including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. However, radiation-induced injuries disrupt this process, resulting in delayed healing, excessive scarring, and compromised tissue integrity. This review explores innovative approaches related to wound healing in post-radiotherapy defects, focusing on the integration of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in protein/polysaccharide bioengineered scaffolds. Such scaffolds, like hydrogels, sponges, or 3D-printed/bioprinted materials, provide a biocompatible and biomimetic environment that supports cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions. Various proteins and polysaccharides are discussed for beneficial properties and limitations, and their compatibility with ADSCs in wound healing applications. The potential of ADSCs-polymeric scaffold combinations in radiation-induced wound healing is investigated, alongside the mechanisms of cell proliferation, inflammation reduction, angiogenesis promotion, collagen formation, integrin binding, growth factor signaling, and activation of signaling pathways. New strategies to improve the therapeutic efficacy of ADSCs by integration in adaptive polymeric materials and designed scaffolds are highlighted, providing solutions for radiation-induced wounded skin, personalized care, faster tissue regeneration, and, ultimately, enhanced quality of the patients’ lives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medical Applications of Polymer Materials)
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