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Plant-Based Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering: Structure-Function, Processing, and Clinical Outlook-A Review
Nurul Jadid1, Azzah Laichatul Mariroh2, Alfiyyana Nurrahma Mawardani2
1Department of Biology, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia. nurul.jadid@its.ac.id.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|March 23, 2026
Summary
Plant-based scaffolds offer a sustainable, cost-effective alternative for tissue engineering. Their natural structure supports cell infiltration and angiogenesis, showing promise for regenerative medicine despite current preclinical limitations.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Traditional tissue engineering scaffolds (synthetic/animal-derived) face limitations in biocompatibility, cost, and scalability.
- Plant-derived biomaterials, rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin, offer abundant, versatile, and cost-effective alternatives.
- Native plant vasculature provides intrinsic microchannels beneficial for cell infiltration and angiogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current advancements in plant-based scaffolds for tissue engineering.
- To emphasize structure-function relationships, processing techniques, and translational potential.
- To discuss challenges and future directions for plant-derived biomaterials in regenerative strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of biofabrication workflows including decellularization and recellularization.
- Analysis of cell-material interactions and scaffold microarchitecture.
- Evaluation of degradation behavior, mechanical stability, and bioactive constituents.
Main Results:
- Plant-based scaffolds demonstrate tunable physicochemical properties mimicking tissue microenvironments.
- Intrinsic plant vasculature facilitates cell infiltration and angiogenesis, crucial for tissue regeneration.
- Preclinical data shows potential for applications in both soft and hard tissue engineering.
Conclusions:
- Plant-based scaffolds represent a maturing, sustainable platform for tissue engineering.
- Further research is needed to address challenges like incomplete decellularization and long-term mechanical stability.
- Standardization and comprehensive safety evaluations are critical for clinical translation of plant-derived regenerative strategies.
