Supramolecular self-assembly of natural herb extracts: From molecular interactions to functional biomaterials

Abstract

In recent years, supramolecular self-assembly has garnered increasing attention as a versatile strategy for materials design, offering novel opportunities in the development of functional biomaterials. Among these, natural herb extracts (NHEs) have emerged as promising building blocks due to their intrinsic ability to self-assemble through diverse noncovalent interactions. Compared with conventional polymer-based medical materials, NHE-derived assemblies possess distinctive advantages, including high drug-loading capacity, controlled-release behavior, permeability across biological barriers, and excellent biocompatibility. Notably, NHE self-assembled systems have demonstrated broad therapeutic potential, ranging from wound healing to cancer treatment. This review summarizes recent progress in the field of NHE-based supramolecular self-assembly. We first introduce the fundamental concepts of supramolecular self-assembly, highlighting the advantages and driving forces underlying NHE-derived assemblies. The major types of NHE molecules, their dominant interactions, and the resulting supramolecular architectures, particularly nanoparticles and hydrogels, are systematically reviewed, with emphasis on structure-function relationships and biomedical applications. In addition, advances in integrating NHE self-assembly with emerging technologies such as microneedles, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal therapy are discussed. Finally, we outline the current challenges and future research directions, aiming to provide insights into the rational design and translational potential of NHE-based supramolecular assemblies in biomedicine.