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

Abstract

Marine biomass represents a valuable yet underexploited resource for the development of high-value biomaterials. Recent advances have highlighted the significant potential of marine-derived polysaccharides, proteins, and peptides in biomedical applications, most notably in drug delivery and wound healing. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current research on the extraction, processing and pharmaceutical valorization of these biopolymers, with a focus on their structural and functional properties that allow these materials to be engineered into nanocarriers, hydrogels, scaffolds, and smart composites. Key fabrication strategies such as ionic gelation, desolvation, and 3D bioprinting are critically examined for their role in drug encapsulation, release modulation, and scaffold design for regenerative therapies. The review also covers preclinical validation, scale-up challenges, and relevant regulatory frameworks, offering a practical roadmap from sustainable sourcing to clinical application. Special attention is given to emerging technologies, including stimuli-responsive biomaterials and biosensor-integrated wound dressings, as well as to the ethical and environmental implications of marine biopolymer sourcing. By integrating materials science, pharmaceutical technology and regulatory insight, this review aims to provide a multidisciplinary perspective for researchers and industrial stakeholders seeking sustainable and multifunctional pharmaceutical platforms for precision medicine and regenerative therapeutics.

Keywords: alginate; bioeconomy; biomass; blue biotechnology; chitosan; collagen; industrial by-products; marine biomaterials; peptides; polysaccharides; proteins; sustainable drug delivery; wound healing.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of the main biomedical applications of marine biomaterials. These include drug delivery, wound dressing, tissue engineering, therapeutics, wound healing, and bone regeneration (Created in BioRender. Chilwant, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/zq9m8ff).

Figure 2

Timeline of key advances in marine biomaterials for wound healing and drug delivery in the period of 2015–2025 (Created in BioRender. Chilwant, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/9yeslx4).

Figure 3

Therapeutic applications of chitosan nanotherapeutics. The figure highlights four key areas (tissue engineering, drug delivery, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity), each associated with specific properties (Created in BioRender. Chilwant, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/c6hourh).

Figure 4

Ionic gelation techniques for alginate polymer. Schematic representation of the ionic gelation mechanism of alginate. Upon exposure to divalent cations (e.g., Ca²⁺), the linear alginate polymer chains undergo crosslinking, forming a three-dimensional hydrogel network. This transformation is driven by the interaction between the carboxyl groups on guluronic acid residues and the cations, resulting in junction zones that stabilize the structure. The degree of crosslinking, and thus the final mechanical and swelling properties, depends on factors such as cation type, concentration, and the M/G ratio of the alginate (Created in BioRender. Chilwant, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/1vr8dgg).

Figure 5

Key biofunctional properties of marine collagen peptides. Marine-derived collagen peptides exhibit a broad range of biological activities, including high biocompatibility, minimal immunogenicity, and enrichment in type I collagen. Their multifunctional profile supports antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-aging effects, along with improved hydration and tissue integration, making them ideal candidates for cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications (Created in BioRender. Chilwant, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/9f9hxaz).

Figure 6

Schematic representation of the skin extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment. The diagram illustrates the hierarchical organization of the skin, including the epithelium, basement membrane, and intrinsic matrix layers. Fibroblasts embedded within the collagen-rich ECM contribute to tissue homeostasis, repair, and remodeling. Collagen fibers provide structural integrity and serve as scaffolds for cellular adhesion, proliferation, and migration. The presence of blood vessels highlights the vascular support essential for nutrient delivery and waste removal (Created in BioRender. Chilwant, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/h5pjv1k).

Figure 7

Schematic overview of ulvan’s key properties and biomedical applications (Created in BioRender. Chilwant, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/5pj9a3a).