Potential applications of nanocellulose-containing materials in the biomedical field

摘要

Because of its high biocompatibility, bio-degradability, low-cost and easy availability,udcellulose finds application in disparate areas of research. Here we focus our attention on the mostudrecent and attractive potential applications of cellulose in the biomedical field. We first describeudthe chemical/structural composition of cellulose fibers, the cellulose sources/features and celluloseudchemical modifications employed to improve its properties. We then move to the description ofudcellulose potential applications in biomedicine. In this field, cellulose is most considered in recentudresearch in the form of nano-sized particle, i.e., nanofiber cellulose (NFC) or cellulose nanocrystalud(CNC). NFC is obtained from cellulose via chemical and mechanical methods. CNC can be obtainedudfrom macroscopic or microscopic forms of cellulose following strong acid hydrolysis. NFC and CNCudare used for several reasons including the mechanical properties, the extended surface area andudthe low toxicity. Here we present some potential applications of nano-sized cellulose in the fieldsudof wound healing, bone-cartilage regeneration, dental application and different human diseasesudincluding cancer. To witness the close proximity of nano-sized cellulose to the practical biomedicaluduse, examples of recent clinical trials are also reported. Altogether, the described examples stronglyudsupport the enormous application potential of nano-sized cellulose in the biomedical field.