Tannic acid modified horizontal platelet-rich fibrin membrane with improved mechanical and biological properties for tissue regeneration

Horizontal platelet-rich fibrin (H-PRF), containing bioactive cytokines, cells, and a three-dimensional fibrin scaffold, has been widely applied in periodontal and peri-implant tissue regeneration. Nevertheless, its suboptimal mechanical strength and rapid degradation limit its clinical application. There is an urgent need for strategies that enhance its durability without compromising biocompatibility. This study introduces tannic acid (TA) as a biocompatible crosslinking agent to improve the mechanical performance and degradation resistance of H-PRF membranes. H-PRF membranes treated with 10 mg/mL TA for 5 min exhibited optimal mechanical properties, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and tensile strength testing. Compared with conventional H-PRF, TA-PRF demonstrated prolonged degradation in plasmin digestion assays and enhanced antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), including greater resistance to bacterial penetration in vitro. These findings indicate that TA modification provides a straightforward, cost-effective, and biocompatible approach for producing H-PRF membranes with superior mechanical strength, extended longevity, and enhanced antibacterial properties, which could serve as promising alternatives or adjuncts to conventional barrier membranes in regenerative dentistry and related fields, and may pave the way for broader clinical applications in soft and hard tissue regeneration.