Oral biomaterials for intestinal regulation

Abstract Intestinal diseases have always been a highly focused concern since recorded. Although endless efforts have been devoted, the underlying pathogenesis of alimentary canal disease remains mysterious and effective therapies are still in development. Intriguingly, the emerging of biomedical engineering has sprung up to unveil the enigmas of alimentary canal diseases, thus ameliorating the therapies and relieving the sufferings of patients. In this review, we present a comprehensive and deep-going perception into therapies of digestive disease with the assistance of biomaterials, involving the constructions of biomaterials and their mechanisms in digestive disease therapy. This review aims at conveying fundamentals of biomaterials in treating alimentary canal diseases, a critical analysis of their current applications and challenges, and a perspective on their future development. It is believed that this review will facilitate the communications between material science and medical fields.