Polyphenol‐Based Biomaterials for Antibacterial Infection Management: From Assembly Chemistry to Infection Site‐Specific Therapeutic Platforms

ABSTRACT

Bacterial infections involving multidrug‐resistant pathogens and persistent biofilms remain difficult to treat because antimicrobial resistance, limited drug access, and infection‐associated inflammation reduce the effectiveness of conventional therapy. Natural polyphenols provide a useful basis for antibacterial biomaterials because their aromatic structures and phenolic hydroxyl groups support noncovalent, covalent, and coordination‐mediated assembly and may also contribute to antibacterial, redox‐regulating, or host‐response‐related activity. This review connects polyphenol assembly chemistry with material format and infection‐site‐specific design. Distinct physicochemical and biological constraints of infected and chronic wounds, respiratory tract infections, intestinal infections and inflammation, and implant‐associated infections are examined with respect to how hydrogels, nanoparticles, and coatings address these challenges. Cross‐cutting mechanisms are discussed with attention to evidence attribution, including direct bacterial killing, biofilm control, regulation of host responses and tissue repair, and improvement of conventional antibiotic treatment. Limitations related to material heterogeneity, reproducibility, scale‐up, sterilization, storage stability, biosafety, and regulatory evaluation are also assessed. Emphasis is placed on matching material format, responsive thresholds, and component functions to the intended infection environment.