Vanillin as a bioactive component in biomedical formulations for chronic wound healing and tissue regeneration

Vanillin is among the most widely used flavour compounds in the global food system, valued for its sensory attributes, chemical stability and long history of safety. This review examines emerging evidence that vanillin can be repurposed as a functional bioactive, with a focus on its roles in oxidative stress modulation, immune regulation and ulcer treatment. We place vanillin within a food-to-function framework, linking its chemical properties to biological activity and downstream biomedical applications. Owing to its amphiphilic molecular structure, vanillin can interact with reactive oxygen species, cellular membranes and polymeric matrices, providing a basis for its incorporation into functional formulations. Studies have reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, synergistic interactions with selected antimicrobial agents and, more recently, the use of vanillin in biomaterials designed to support extracellular matrix organisation and wound closure in chronic and non-healing wounds. Collectively, the available evidence indicates that vanillin possesses multifunctional biological activities that extend beyond its traditional role and support its potential application in wound-healing and tissue-regenerative strategies. This review highlights that the combination of antioxidant, immunomodulatory and biomaterial-compatible properties makes vanillin a promising candidate for incorporation into next-generation therapeutic formulations. Despite these advances, a key limitation remains the lack of comprehensive and standardised in vitro and in vivo evaluation of vanillin-based formulations. Addressing these gaps is essential to define structure-function relationships, validate safety and efficacy, and advance clinical translation. Current vanillin is positioned as a promising link between food-derived compounds and biomedical applications, although further mechanistic and translational studies are needed before clinical use.