Polyols are multifunctional alcohols, with branched structures, where each arm terminates with an –OH group. These free –OH groups have been utilised to make a variety of polymer structures ranging from cross-linked to linear to starshaped. This review presents a comprehensive account of polyol-based polymers in biomedical applications. The advantages afforded by polyolbased biodegradable polymers are detailed in this review, alongside a general historical perspective on the development of biodegradable polymers. The major advantage of these polyols is that they are endogenous to the human body. Synthesis strategies and fabrication techniques to mould these materials into three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds are discussed. Modifications to the conventionally used polyol-based polyesters have been achieved by chemically incorporating drugs/ bioactives or by preparing nanocomposites. This review discusses the physicochemical properties and biological responses of these polymers relevant in biomedical applications and further outlines the need for improving their processability and performance.

中文翻译：

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用于生物医学应用的可生物降解的多元醇基聚合物

多元醇是具有分支结构的多功能醇，其中每个臂的末端均带有-OH基团。这些游离的-OH基团已被用于制造各种聚合物结构，从交联到线性到星形。这篇综述对生物医学应用中基于多元醇的聚合物进行了全面介绍。这篇综述详细介绍了基于多元醇的可生物降解聚合物所提供的优势，以及有关可生物降解聚合物发展的一般历史观点。这些多元醇的主要优点是它们对人体是内源的。讨论了将这些材料模制成三维（3D）支架的合成策略和制造技术。通过化学掺入药物/生物活性物质或通过制备纳米复合材料，已经实现了对常规使用的基于多元醇的聚酯的改性。这篇综述讨论了与生物医学应用相关的这些聚合物的理化性质和生物学响应，并进一步概述了改善其可加工性和性能的需求。