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Polymers
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Biopolymer-Based Materials in Medical Applications, Second Edition
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Biopolymer-Based Materials in Medical Applications, Second Edition

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 4403

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Hsiuying Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Statistics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300093, Taiwan
Interests: anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis; microRNA; molecular biomarkers; phylogenetic analysis; bioinformatics; industry statistics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Pengchao Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
Interests: thin polymer films; hydrogels; nanocomposites; superlyophilic surfaces; microfluidics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biopolymer-based materials are materials that are primarily composed of biopolymers, which are natural polymers produced by living organisms. These polymers can be derived from renewable resources such as plants, animals, or microorganisms. In recent years, the use of biopolymer-based materials has steadily increased due to their high demand in medical applications. These materials play a significant role in various medical applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatility. The applications of biopolymer-based materials include drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, wound dressings, surgical sealants and adhesives, orthopedic implants, dental applications, diagnostic devices, vaccine delivery, and so on. Since the demand for polymers in medical applications has been significantly increasing, further advanced research on extracting biopolymer-based materials, exploring new materials, and developing the biopolymer-based materials industry is particularly important.

In addition, although biodegradability is an advantage of biopolymer-based materials, it is also a disadvantage because they may easily suffer from wear and tear due to their intensive interaction with the body. Hence, further studies investigating the effect of their treatment and attempting to understand their related biological mechanisms can contribute to the efficient use of these materials in medical applications.

Therefore, the current Special Issue on “Biopolymer-based Materials in Medical Applications, Second Edition” invites submissions of reviews and original papers that address any interesting topics concerning the effect of therapy with biopolymer-based materials, their biological mechanisms, and their applications.

Prof. Dr. Hsiuying Wang
Prof. Dr. Pengchao Zhang
Guest Editors

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. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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

  • biopolymer-based materials
  • biopolymer-based materials therapy
  • biopolymer-based materials industry
  • biomedical applications
  • wound dressings
  • tissue engineering

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1725 KB  
Article
Comparative Physicochemical Characterization of Polylactic Acid-Based Dermal Fillers
by Chen-Ying Su, You-Cheng Chang, Pei-Ju Cheng and Hsu-Wei Fang
Polymers 2026, 18(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010084 - 27 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1919
Abstract
Introduction: Polylactic acid can be classified into poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) according to their stereoisomeric structures, and both are widely used as dermal fillers for soft tissue augmentation. Although the clinical efficacy of commercially available PLLA- and PDLLA-based fillers has [...] Read more.
Introduction: Polylactic acid can be classified into poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) according to their stereoisomeric structures, and both are widely used as dermal fillers for soft tissue augmentation. Although the clinical efficacy of commercially available PLLA- and PDLLA-based fillers has been well established, variations in their physicochemical properties may lead to differences in handling characteristics and clinical performance. A systematic comparison of these properties among different PLA-based fillers remains limited. Materials and Methods: In this study, the physicochemical characteristics of three PDLLA-based fillers (AestheFill, NeoFilera, and Juvelook) and one PLLA-based filler (Sculptra) were evaluated. The analyses included functional group identification, particle morphology and size distribution observation, reconstitution time measurement, osmotic pressure determination, and viscosity assessment. Results: AestheFill and NeoFilera exhibited similar profiles in terms of functional groups, size distribution, osmotic pressure, and viscosity, while NeoFilera and Juvelook showed comparable particle morphologies. Sculptra displayed distinct particle morphology and viscosity, likely attributable to its PLLA composition, yet showed similarities with Juvelook in functional group identification and osmotic pressure. Additionally, the reconstitution times of Sculptra, NeoFilera, and Juvelook were significantly shorter than that of AestheFill. Conclusions: Although the direct correlation between physicochemical characteristics and clinical outcomes warrants further investigation, this comparative analysis provides clinicians with a clearer understanding of the material properties of PLA-based dermal fillers and may assist in the informed selection of appropriate products for individual patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer-Based Materials in Medical Applications, Second Edition)
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14 pages, 2191 KB  
Article
Evaluation Starch-Based Hemostatic Agents “BioSight” as Adhesion Prevention Barrier Tested in an Adhesion Model in Rats
by Yi-Xin Liu, Chen-Ying Su, Min-Hsuan Yen, Chih-Hwa Chen, Chih-Yu Chen and Hsu-Wei Fang
Polymers 2026, 18(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010033 - 23 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1061
Abstract
Background: Postoperative abdominal adhesions are a common and serious complication following abdominal surgery, often leading to chronic pain, bowel obstruction, or infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the new starch-based absorbable hemostatic agent and dressing, BioSight, in comparison with a [...] Read more.
Background: Postoperative abdominal adhesions are a common and serious complication following abdominal surgery, often leading to chronic pain, bowel obstruction, or infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the new starch-based absorbable hemostatic agent and dressing, BioSight, in comparison with a predicate device (4DryField® PH) for the prevention of abdominal adhesions in a rat model. Methods: A total of 90 Sprague–Dawley rats were used to establish an intra-abdominal adhesion model and assigned to the BioSight, 4DryField® PH, or control group. Standardized injuries were created on the cecum and parietal peritoneum, followed by application of the designated materials. Animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 12 weeks for macroscopic adhesion scoring and histopathological evaluation. Adhesion area, adhesion strength, and tissue thickness were assessed using established scoring systems, and local healing was examined by H&E staining. All quantitative data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Conclusions: In a rat peritoneal adhesion model, BioSight exhibited pronounced anti-adhesion efficacy comparable to 4DryField® PH. Macroscopic evaluation showed consistently low adhesion scores (≤0.4) across all time points up to 12 weeks, while histological analysis confirmed reduced adhesion thickness, with BioSight displaying numerically lower values, particularly at early stages (251.3 ± 137.4 µm vs. 323.2 ± 174.6 µm at Week 2). This performance is attributed to rapid in situ hydrogel formation that provides effective temporary tissue separation, limits early fibrin deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration, and supports hemostasis. Importantly, the starch-based hydrogel exhibits a balanced biodegradation profile—persisting long enough to protect injured tissues during the critical inflammatory and fibroproliferative phases, yet undergoing complete enzymatic resorption thereafter without adverse tissue reactions. Collectively, these results highlight the anti-adhesion functionality of BioSight and support the clinical potential of plant-derived starch-based bioresorbable surgical adjuncts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer-Based Materials in Medical Applications, Second Edition)
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21 pages, 10248 KB  
Article
Modulating the Behavior of Schwann Cells with NGF Exposure Combined with Different Energy Densities of Photobiomodulation Cultured on Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Scaffolds
by Bryan Enoc Quidel-Necul, Paulina Martínez-Rodríguez, Karina Godoy Sanchéz, Glauce Crivelaro Nascimento, Bruna Balbino de Paula, Eduardo Borie and Fernando José Dias
Polymers 2025, 17(21), 2900; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17212900 - 30 Oct 2025
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Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of irradiation of different energy densities in low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and exogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) on Schwann cells (SCs). SCs (SCL 4.1/F7) exposed to LLLT (4 or 80 J/cm2) and NGF (25 ng/mL) were [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the effect of irradiation of different energy densities in low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and exogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) on Schwann cells (SCs). SCs (SCL 4.1/F7) exposed to LLLT (4 or 80 J/cm2) and NGF (25 ng/mL) were evaluated on days 1, 3, and 7. Cell viability (MTT), proliferation (crystal violet) and morphology (SEM—Scanning Electron Microscopy) on the polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) scaffold were compared among five study groups: Control; L4. 4 J/cm2 LLLT; L80. 80 J/cm2 LLLT; L4N. 4 J/cm2 LLLT + NGF; and L80N. 80 J/cm2 LLLT + NGF. Viability and proliferation increased over time in groups treated exclusively with LLLT, with 4 J/cm2 reduced cell viability on the third day. The NGF exposition showed a reduction in cell viability and proliferation. The SCs remained attached to the PHB scaffold during the 7 days analyzed. The LLLT energy densities did not modify SC behavior, except for a reduction in cell viability after irradiation of 4 J/cm2 on the third day. Consistently, SC exposure to exogenous NGF significantly reduced proliferation and viability in all periods analyzed. Morphological changes were observed, and NGF exposure appears to have helped cells intertwine with PHB scaffold fibers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer-Based Materials in Medical Applications, Second Edition)
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