Evolving Roles of Marine Biomaterials in Drug Delivery and Wound Healing

Marine-derived compounds, once overlooked, are now pivotal in advancing therapeutic delivery and tissue regeneration.

Clinicians have long contended with the limitations of synthetic delivery vehicles—suboptimal degradability, potential immunogenicity and inconsistent bioactivity—that can undermine targeted therapy and wound repair. Recent real-world insights pivot attention to the ocean’s bounty as a source of versatile carriers. Marine-derived materials such as chitosan and alginate demonstrate essential biocompatibility and biodegradability for safe drug delivery. These attributes address early hesitations about introducing novel polymers into clinical practice.

Dive deeper into drug delivery, and marine biomaterials reveal further promise. Their inherent structure enhances drug stability and enables controlled release kinetics, translating to prolonged therapeutic windows and potentially reduced dosing frequency. Clinicians leveraging alginate-based microspheres observe steadier plasma concentrations in antimicrobial and anticancer regimens, while chitosan nanoparticles improve mucosal uptake across diverse treatment areas. As noted earlier, these innovations foster more predictable pharmacokinetics and open avenues for targeted therapy.

Transitioning from systemic delivery to wound care, seaweed-derived polysaccharides and marine collagen have reshaped the clinician’s toolkit. These compounds form hydrophilic matrices that maintain a moist environment, promote cellular migration and angiogenesis, and naturally discourage microbial colonization. In challenging wounds—such as diabetic foot ulcers or radiation-induced dermatitis—early clinical application of marine collagen dressings correlates with enhanced granulation and reduced infection rates compared with conventional gauze.

Looking ahead, the sustainable sourcing of marine polymers from aquaculture by-products and algae farms aligns with environmental stewardship and supply chain resilience. Ongoing research into hybrid scaffolds that combine marine biomaterials with growth factors or antimicrobial agents promises further customization for patient-specific needs. As technological platforms mature, clinicians should prepare for broader access to these materials and consider them in algorithm-driven wound management and personalized drug-delivery protocols.

Key Takeaways:

• Marine biomaterials offer promising alternatives for drug delivery with enhanced biocompatibility.
• Recent innovations in marine-derived wound dressings improve tissue regeneration and reduce infection risks.
• The sustainable sourcing of marine compounds positions them as future-proof solutions in clinical applications.