Issue 19, 2024

Biological applications of lipoic acid-based polymers: an old material with new promise

Abstract

Lipoic acid (LA) is a versatile antioxidant that has been used in the treatment of various oxidation–reduction diseases over the past 70 years. Owing to its large five-membered ring tension, the dynamic disulfide bond of LA is highly active, enabling the formation of poly(lipoic acid) (PLA) via ring-opening polymerization (ROP). Herein, we first summarize disulfide-mediated ROP polymerization strategies, providing basic routes for designing and preparing PLA-based materials. PLA, as a biologically derived, low toxic, and easily modified material, possesses dynamic disulfide bonds and universal non-covalent carboxyl groups. We also shed light on the biomedical applications of PLA-based materials based on their biological and structural features and further divide recent works into six categories: antibacterial, anti-inflammation, anticancer, adhesive, flexible electronics, and 3D-printed tissue scaffolds. Finally, the challenges and future prospects associated with the biomedical applications of PLA are discussed.

Graphical abstract: Biological applications of lipoic acid-based polymers: an old material with new promise

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
20 mar 2024
Accepted
12 apr 2024
First published
16 apr 2024

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2024,12, 4574-4583

Biological applications of lipoic acid-based polymers: an old material with new promise

Q. Yu, Z. Fang, S. Luan, L. Wang and H. Shi, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2024, 12, 4574 DOI: 10.1039/D4TB00581C

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