Polyphenolic Gelatin-Based Bioadhesives

ConspectusBioadhesives are important for the future of medicine in their roles wound closure and as measures to enhance healing. These adhesives more effective less invasive than conventional methods, such surgical sutures or staples. Adhesive substances based on naturally occurring biological materials from living organisms harness phenolic compounds attachment wet surfaces. For example, plants, Boston ivy, animals, mussels, have evolved tissues that create optimal adhesion under a variety challenging conditions, including aqueous saline environments. Current research aims at using biomimetic strategies new generation bioadhesives will be better suited medical use. Biomaterials design has around integration phenols with protein backbones among which gelatin received particular attention due its excellent bioactivity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, low cost, facile chemical tunability, tissue-mimetic properties. Bioadhesion performance these biomaterials is strong function polyphenolic functionality processing approach into hydrogel networks. A number studies used small molecules modify biomacromolecules chemically bioadhesion. One major hurdles insufficient uptake low-yield modification chemistries inherently limited functionalization capacity proteins. Polyphenols an attractive toolbox bioadhesive design, they not only enable stronger interactions various substrates but also act cross-linking points, strengthening polymer network cohesion. In addition, mechanism gelation should compatible moieties, as, instance, free-radical polymerization presence compromised by scavenging effects. Polyphenolic derived synthetically well those naturally, tannins, added large library additional functionality, antimicrobial photothermal responsiveness, calling further developments applications management.In this Account, we review several recent breakthroughs polyphenol-integrated been analyzed context use bioadhesives. play covalent noncovalent functional groups substrates, keratins, connective tissue, soft internal tissues. We consider different polyphenol-carrying catecholamines, amino acids, lignins. then discuss how can fabricated mimic through infusion, physical mixing, copolymerization. implications bioadhesives, questioning viability prospects. Finally, highlight current challenges opportunities taking closer clinical translation.