Table 2.
Advantages, Disadvantages, and Sources of Common Natural Products for Cartilage Regeneration and Repair
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collagen | It is a natural and biocompatible material, promotes cell growth and differentiation | Not very stable | Animal sources such as bones, tendons, skin, and cartilage |
| Chitosan | Biocompatible, non-toxic, promotes cell growth and differentiation | Poor mechanical properties | Shells of crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, and lobster |
| Hyaluronan | Lubricates joints, promotes cell growth and differentiation | Expensive to produce | Rooster comb, umbilical cord, and synovial fluid |
| Alginate | Non-toxic, biocompatible, can be used in hydrogels | Poor mechanical properties | Brown seaweed |
| Fibrin | Promotes cell growth and differentiation, forms a strong clot | Limited degradation | Blood plasma |
| Polylactic acid (PLA) | Biocompatible, can be used in 3D printing | Poor mechanical properties | Renewable resources such as corn starch and sugarcane |
| Polyethylene glycol (PEG) | Biocompatible, can be used in hydrogels | Expensive to produce | Petroleum-based or biosynthetic |
| Polycaprolactone (PCL) | Biocompatible, can be used in 3D printing | Poor mechanical properties | Renewable resources such as castor oil and sugarcane |
| Silk fibroin | Biocompatible, strong and flexible | Expensive to produce | Silkworm cocoons |
| Gelatin | Biocompatible, can be used in hydrogels | Poor mechanical properties | Animal by-products such as bones and skin |
| Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) | Biocompatible, can be used in hydrogels | Poor mechanical properties | Petroleum-based or biosynthetic |
| Agarose | Biocompatible, can be used in hydrogels | Expensive to produce | Red seaweed |
| Cellulose | Biocompatible, abundant, and renewable | Poor mechanical properties | Plant sources such as wood and cotton |
| Gellan gum | Biocompatible, can be used in hydrogels | Expensive to produce | Bacteria |
| Chondroitin sulfate | Promotes cell growth and differentiation | Expensive to produce | Animal sources such as cartilage and bones |
| Hydrogel-based scaffolds | Biocompatible, can mimic the extracellular matrix | Poor mechanical properties | Natural or synthetic polymers, like chitosan, collagen, and hyaluronan, alginate |