Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are green, biodegradable solvents formed from naturally occurring hydrogen-bond donors (HBDs) and acceptors (HBAs) such as sugars, amino acids, and organic acids. Their tunable polarity, intrinsic antibacterial properties, high solubilizing power, and generally favorable biocompatibility, though composition-dependent, have positioned them as sustainable alternatives to conventional organic solvents in green chemistry and biomedical fields. Following a general overview of NADES and their fundamental physicochemical properties, a comprehensive analysis of their antibacterial properties, factors influencing the extraction process, and an outline of their biomedical applications are presented. Key findings reveal that NADES are promising, environmentally friendly, and sustainable candidates for a wide range of biomedical uses, such as drug delivery, wound healing, and biosensors. Although significant translational challenges limit their full therapeutic potential. However, most existing research has mainly focused on non-natural deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and simpler, less biocompatible systems, leaving important gaps in knowledge about NADES. Current NADES research is still limited in exploring their physicochemical properties, biological interactions, toxicity, biocompatibility, mechanisms of action, and the obstacles in applying them industrially and in medicine. Recent patent activity highlights increasing interest in NADES, but critical issues like high viscosity, potential toxicity, environmental effects, and scalability are still not sufficiently studied. Beyond NADES’s significance, this review highlights the importance of understanding their physicochemical properties as an essential step toward their safe transition into new applications. Besides, future strategies to accelerate the adoption of NADES as mainstream solvents in sustainable biomedical manufacturing and regenerative medicine are discussed. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are green, biodegradable alternatives to toxic organic solvents. This review highlights their tunable properties, antibacterial activity, and biomedical applications. Overcoming viscosity and scalability challenges could drive their adoption in sustainable medicine. • NADES are environmentally friendly, biodegradable solvents. • Adjustable polarity and antibacterial properties make NADES suitable for biomedicine. • They enable enhanced drug delivery, wound healing and efficient biopolymer extraction. • High viscosity and scalability remain major challenges for industrial use. • NADES offer a promising pathway toward sustainable biomedical manufacturing.
Thamer et al. (Mon,) studied this question.