Natural Medicine and 3D Printing for Tissue Repair, Drug Delivery, and Wound Healing: Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine Bio-Actives with Advanced Biomaterials

Abstract

Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) bio-actives in 3D-printed scaffolds combines ancient pharmacology with advanced additive manufacturing strategies for bone repair, wound healing, and drug delivery. This review highlights Carthamus tinctorius for cranial angiogenesis, Radix Dipsaci for fracture healing, Pearl powder for bone-mimicking mineralization, and ginger-garlic extract-loaded osteogenic-antibacterial implant. Tailored drug releases (21 days for Nuciferine and 56 days for Berberine) and Pyritum-enhanced β-TCP scaffolds showing spatial engineering by doubling compressive strength. Oregano essential oil liposomes suppress osteosarcoma and enhance antibacterial efficacy. The review also discusses Panax notoginseng living scaffold targeting hypoxia, Cryptotanshinone niosomal hydrogel for acne, Astragalus membranaceus for treating Scleroderma diabeticorum, and Okra polysaccharides for both pharmacological and structural function, Liquidambar orientalis skin-regenerating and Bombyx mori silk fibroin skin adhesive properties. Bio-3D printing advances TCM-enriched hydrogels, improving bio-ink formulation, hydrogel stability, drug delivery, and regenerative efficacy. Each section examines TCM pharmacological compounds needed for 3D-printed scaffold integration, the scaffold polymers, and the performance validation models. The interdisciplinary approach of combining biomaterials, TCM pharmacology, and precision of 3D printing redefines regenerative paradigms. The conclusions summarize key findings, define future research trajectories, and address potential challenges with targeted solutions, offering a forward-looking perspective for this transformative interdisciplinary field.