# Vanillin Beyond Flavor: Therapeutic Potentials and Emerging Applications in Hydrogel-Based Biomaterials

## TL;DR

Vanillin, known for its flavor, shows promise in biomedical applications through hydrogels that can heal wounds and deliver drugs.

## Contribution

This paper reviews vanillin's role in creating multifunctional hydrogels with dynamic properties for biomedical use.

## Key findings

- Vanillin-based hydrogels exhibit self-healing and injectable properties suitable for wound healing.
- These hydrogels combine structural support with antimicrobial and drug delivery capabilities.
- Vanillin's chemical structure allows dynamic covalent bonding in hydrogel synthesis.

## Abstract

Vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) is widely recognized for its aromatic flavor and established pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. While these biological activities underpin its therapeutic potential, recent advances have expanded the application of vanillin into the field of biomaterials. In particular, vanillin’s unique chemical structure enables its use as a multifunctional building block for the development of innovative hydrogels with dynamic covalent bonding, injectability, and self-healing capabilities. Vanillin-based hydrogels have demonstrated promising applications in wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and antimicrobial platforms, combining structural support with intrinsic bioactivity. These hydrogels benefit from vanillin’s biocompatibility and functional versatility, enhancing mechanical properties and therapeutic efficacy. This review provides an overview of vanillin’s pharmacological effects, with a primary focus on the synthesis, properties, and biomedical applications of vanillin-derived hydrogels. By highlighting recent material innovations and their translational potential, we aim to position vanillin as a valuable natural compound bridging bioactivity and biomaterial science for future clinical and therapeutic advancements.