Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (14): 3675-3686.doi: 10.12307/2026.055

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects and mechanisms of natural polyphenol-based hydrogels in promoting bone repair

Gong Yukang1, Ye Gaoqi1, Wang Chenhao2, Chen Dejin1, Gao Wenshan1   

  1. 1Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, Hebei Province, China; 2School of Basic Medicine, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, Hebei Province, China
  • Received:2025-03-21 Accepted:2025-04-23 Online:2026-05-18 Published:2025-09-12
  • Contact: Gao Wenshan, Chief physician, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, Hebei Province, China
  • About author:Gong Yukang, Master candidate, Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, Hebei Province, China
  • Supported by:
    2024 In-Hospital Fund Project of Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, No. 2024ZA01 (to GWS)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent years, natural polyphenol-modified hydrogels have shown great application prospects in improving the immune microenvironment of bone regeneration.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the construction strategies of different types of natural polyphenol-modified hydrogel bone repair materials and the effects, mechanisms and repair effects of regulating the immune microenvironment of bone regeneration. 
METHODS: PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI and WanFang databases were used to search the literature published from the establishment of each database to 2024. The search terms were “natural polyphenol, tannic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, resveratrol, curcumin, rosmarinic acid, epigallocatechin gallate, gallic acid, proanthocyanidin, bone, hydrogel” in Chinese and English. The resulting literature was initially screened by reading to exclude duplicates and irrelevant content. Finally, 61 papers were included for review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Natural polyphenols have bone-enhancing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can effectively improve the immune microenvironment of bone regeneration, but solubility problems lead to their poor bioavailability. Introducing natural polyphenols into hydrogels can improve their bioavailability. Common reaction/interaction introduction modes of natural polyphenols in bone repair materials include hydrogen bonding, metal-polyphenol networks, covalent interactions (esterification, etherification, and amidation), polyphenol-borate complexation, poloxamer micelles, mesoporous particles, nanoparticles, etc. Natural polyphenols can give hydrogel materials anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and osteogenic properties, regulate the immune microenvironment of bone regeneration, and promote bone repair. However, due to the diversity of natural polyphenols, the mechanism of action of natural polyphenols and the selection of polyphenols in composite materials need further study.


Key words: natural polyphenols, hydrogel, bone defect, bone repair, bone regeneration, immune microenvironment, reactive oxygen species, polyphenol, bone, engineered bone material

CLC Number: