Cold Atmospheric Plasma in Biomedicine and Pharmacology: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Therapeutic Applications

Plasma medicine has emerged as a rapidly emerging interdisciplinary area of research that investigates the interaction of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) with biological systems. The therapeutic power of CAP relies on the controlled generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), pulsed electric fields, and ultraviolet radiation, which synergistically enable specific bioactivity. This review summarizes CAP research from the past decade, including in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies across biomedical applications, and categorizes CAP sources by their distinctive physicochemical properties and associated medical relevance. The discussion highlights that treatment efficacy in wound healing, cancer therapy, and antimicrobial applications is strongly device-dependent, underscoring the critical role of plasma source design in clinical outcomes. CAP demonstrates significant antimicrobial effects, reduces microbial load, and preserves the integrity of healthy tissue. It promotes hemostasis and accelerates wound healing through vascularization, cell proliferation, and microcirculation. In oncology, CAP exhibits selective antitumor effects, including skin cancers and other vertebrate tumor models. Its applications in dentistry reflect its versatility in disinfection and in aiding implantation. Furthermore, CAP can stimulate the growth of stem and cultured cells via nitric oxide-mediated mechanisms. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of CAP in surface modification and transdermal drug delivery. Furthermore, plasma-activated media and solutions have garnered significant interest due to their diverse applications in plasma medicine. The review provides a comprehensive overview of all available literature, facilitating biomedical scientists in their further translational research in this field.