Advances in self-powered biomaterials for bone defect repair

Bone defects caused by aging populations and accidental injuries have a significant impact on human life, making bone repair and regeneration a research hotspot. The piezoelectric effect in biomaterials has shown great potential in bone defect treatment by converting mechanical stress into electrical signals to promote osteoblast behavior and subsequently accelerate bone regeneration. Electrical stimulation has been proven to improve the interfacial properties of biomaterials, enhancing cell adhesion and growth on the material surface, and promoting bone healing by regulating cellular behavior. With ongoing research on self-powered materials, various electroactive biomaterials have emerged. This review summarizes the mechanisms of bone repair and regeneration under electrical stimulation and the role of self-powered biomaterials in promoting bone regeneration by regulating the microenvironment. We present examples of applications combining biomaterials and electrical stimulation and discuss the challenges and future directions of these strategies for clinical translation. In conclusion, electroactive biomaterials show remarkable promise in bone defect treatment and provide a new therapeutic approach for bone regeneration.