Sulfonated Molecules and Their Latest Applications in the Field of Biomaterials: A Review

Abstract

This review provides an overview of the latest applications of sulfonated molecules in biomaterials. Sulfonation, a chemical modification process introducing sulfonic acid groups, enhances biomaterial properties. This review explores the effect of sulfonation and recent innovations in biomaterial applications. It covers hydrogels, scaffolds, and nanoparticles, emphasizing sulfonation’s unique advantages. The impact on cellular responses, including adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, is discussed. This review also addresses sulfonated biomaterials’ role in regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and tissue engineering challenges. It also provides a small overview of the sources and features of marine-derived sulfonated molecules, emphasizing their potential roles in advancing scientific research. As a novel aspect, an unconventional complex, “traditional Chinese medicine” and its sulfonation method have come to the forefront after a thousand years of history. This article concludes with a reflection on current research and future avenues, highlighting sulfonation’s transformative potential in biomedicine.