From Sea to Therapy: Marine Biomaterials for Drug Delivery and Wound Healing

The review explores the potential of marine-derived biomaterials, such as chitosan, alginate, collagen, gelatin, fucoidan, carrageenan, and ulvan, in drug delivery and wound healing. These materials, sourced from marine resources, offer biocompatibility, biodegradability, and multifunctional bioactivity, making them suitable for biomedical applications. Key strategies like ionic gelation and 3D bioprinting are discussed for drug encapsulation and scaffold design. Despite challenges in standardization and regulatory approval, marine biomaterials show promise in managing chronic wounds and infections, with clinical trials demonstrating their efficacy. The review emphasizes the role of these materials in sustainable pharmaceutical innovation and regenerative medicine, highlighting advancements from 2015 to 2025.