Kaczmarek-Szczepańska Beata, Grabska-Zielińska Sylwia
Laboratory for Functional Polymeric Materials, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Gagarin 7, 87-100 Toruń, Poland.
Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Seminaryjna 3, 85-326 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Mar 11;26(6):2520. doi: 10.3390/ijms26062520.
Melatonin, a natural hormone with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties, has gained increasing attention in tissue engineering for its ability to enhance the therapeutic potential of biopolymeric scaffolds. These scaffolds, designed to mimic the extracellular matrix, provide structural support and a bioactive environment for tissue regeneration. By integrating melatonin, researchers aim to create multifunctional scaffolds that promote cell proliferation, modulate inflammatory responses, and improve wound healing outcomes. Challenges in utilizing melatonin include maintaining its stability under light, heat, and oxygen exposure, and optimizing its release profile for sustained therapeutic effects. Innovative fabrication methods, such as electrospinning, 3D printing, and lyophilization, have enabled precise control over scaffold architecture and melatonin delivery. These techniques ensure enhanced interactions with target tissues and tailored regeneration processes. Combining melatonin with growth factors, cytokines, and antimicrobial agents offers the potential for multifunctional applications, from chronic wound management to bone and nerve regeneration. Continued research in this field promises transformative solutions in regenerative medicine, expanding the clinical applicability of melatonin-enriched scaffolds. This review highlights the current progress, challenges, and opportunities associated with harnessing melatonin's therapeutic potential within tissue engineering frameworks.
褪黑素是一种具有抗氧化、抗炎和再生特性的天然激素，因其能够增强生物聚合物支架的治疗潜力而在组织工程中受到越来越多的关注。这些旨在模拟细胞外基质的支架为组织再生提供结构支持和生物活性环境。通过整合褪黑素，研究人员旨在创建多功能支架，促进细胞增殖、调节炎症反应并改善伤口愈合效果。利用褪黑素的挑战包括在光照、加热和氧气暴露下保持其稳定性，以及优化其释放曲线以实现持续的治疗效果。创新的制造方法，如静电纺丝、3D打印和冻干，能够精确控制支架结构和褪黑素递送。这些技术确保与靶组织的相互作用增强，并实现定制的再生过程。将褪黑素与生长因子、细胞因子和抗菌剂结合，为从慢性伤口管理到骨骼和神经再生的多功能应用提供了潜力。该领域的持续研究有望在再生医学中带来变革性解决方案，扩大富含褪黑素的支架的临床适用性。本综述强调了在组织工程框架内利用褪黑素治疗潜力的当前进展、挑战和机遇。
