Biopolymers are naturally occurring polymers that are produced by living
organisms. They include proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and other
biomolecules. Due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity,
biopolymers have gained significant attention in medicine, particularly as therapeutic
agents. As a class of materials, biopolymers offer unique advantages over synthetic
polymers, including the ability to interact with biological systems more naturally. Their
applications span drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, and gene therapy,
making them essential to modern biomedical research. The historical development of
biopolymers as therapeutics spans from ancient uses in traditional medicine to modern
biotechnology advancements. In the 19th century, the foundation was laid with the
discovery of proteins and nucleic acids. In the early 20th century, therapeutic use of
proteins such as insulin and polysaccharides like heparin emerged. The mid-20th
century marked the rise of nucleic acids as therapeutic agents, while the late 20th
century introduced biotechnology, enabling large-scale production of biopolymerbased drugs. In the 21st century, innovations in drug delivery, gene therapy, and
regenerative medicine have further advanced the use of biopolymers in treating
diseases.
Keywords: Biocompatibility, Biodegradability, Biopolymers, Drug delivery, Polysaccharides, Therapeutic agents, Tissue engineering.
