Naturally Derived Materials-Based Drug Delivery Systems and Their Biomedical Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Naturally derived materials-based drug delivery systems (DDS) represent a crucial and sustainable approach in modern biomedical research. These materials, which include alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and silk proteins, offer the advantages of biocompatibility, biodegradability, and minimal toxicity. They align with circular economy principles by transforming waste from natural sources into valuable therapeutic platforms. Through the development of hydrogels, nanoparticles, and micelles, these materials have been applied to enhance controlled drug release, providing versatile tools for improving therapeutic outcomes. However, the transition from preclinical studies to industrial production presents significant challenges. These include scalability, reproducibility, and compliance with GMP and ISO standards, ensuring consistent quality and functionality in large-scale production.

Beyond drug delivery, naturally derived systems are increasingly being explored for applications in regenerative medicine, leveraging advanced cellular models like spheroids, organoids, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). These models offer enhanced physiological relevance and therapeutic precision in several research fields of biomedical interest. However, integrating these cutting-edge tools into scalable, reproducible, and compliant manufacturing pipelines requires multidisciplinary efforts, combining materials science, bioengineering, pharmacology, and clinical research expertise.

Natural-derived materials can solve problems in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine because of their inherent biocompatibility and ability to mimic the body's natural extracellular matrix. This allows for better integration with host tissues and reduced immune responses, which are critical for the success of any implanted biomaterial. Additionally, the biodegradability of these materials ensures that they can be safely metabolized and replaced by the body's cells over time, avoiding long-term complications associated with permanent implants.

The match between clinical needs and solution strategies is achieved through engineering means by tailoring the properties of these materials to specific therapeutic requirements. For instance, the degradation rate of a biomaterial can be adjusted to match the tissue regeneration rate, and a drug's release profile can be controlled to coincide with the healing process. This requires a deep understanding of the materials' biological and mechanical properties, as well as the ability to manipulate them at the molecular level to achieve desired outcomes. Such collaborations are essential to overcoming the current limitations, such as maintaining cell viability and product stability during scale-up processes.

This Special Issue focuses on drug delivery systems, but contributions derived from the use of DDS in extended areas of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are also welcome. In particular, submissions that address the sustainable and scalable production of these materials, including their use in combination with cellular models and advanced therapies, will contribute to bridging the gap between academic research and industrial translation, ultimately promoting the multidisciplinary development of sustainable therapeutic platforms for clinical use.

Dr. Tao Sun
Dr. Martine Tarsitano
Guest Editors

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• naturally derived material
• drug delivery systems
• tissue engineering
• regenerative medicine