AccScience Publishing / GTM / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/gtm.7774
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Electrical stimulation: Biological insights and therapeutic applications

Aakarshi Gupta1,2 ,  Praveen Mallari2 ,  Tracy Taulier2 ,  Mohammad Amjad Kamal3,4,5*
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1 Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
2 Department of Research and Development, Academy of Bioelectric Meridian Massage Australia, Queensland, Australia
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
4 Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
5 Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Global Translational Medicine, 7774 https://doi.org/10.36922/gtm.7774
Received: 16 December 2024 | Revised: 26 March 2025 | Accepted: 6 May 2025 | Published online: 4 June 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Electrical stimulation (ES) has emerged as a versatile modality in biomedical research, primarily due to its ability to modulate cellular activities across the cell membrane. As a barrier to electrical signals, the cell membrane plays a crucial role in healing, tissue regeneration, and cancer treatment. This review highlights the cellular processes involved in ES, focusing on the changes within and across the membrane, including effects on proteins, ions, and signaling pathways. ES regulates membrane potential and ion flow, such as calcium and sodium ions, which are essential for intercellular signaling and cell survival. In addition, ES facilitates electroporation, enhancing membrane permeability to allow controlled drug and gene delivery. It also modulates receptor sensitivity and cellular signaling efficiency by altering the lipid bilayer configuration and protein conformation. The applications of ES are extensive, including its use in wound healing, nerve regeneration, and as an adjunct to cancer treatments. Bioelectric Meridian Therapy, a new approach, employs ES for pain control, tissue repair stimulation, and energy flow regulation. Nevertheless, ES faces limitations such as heterogeneity in cellular responses, challenges in determining optimal stimulus parameters, and concerns regarding long-term safety. To address these issues, there is a need for real-time adaptive systems and personalized ES protocols to achieve safety and efficacy in all therapeutic settings. A deeper understanding of ES–cell membrane interactions can improve the current therapeutic paradigm and enhance the effectiveness of ES- based treatments. Further research is necessary to establish patient-specific ES parameters and integrate them into the precision medicine frameworks, minimizing side effects and improving treatment outcomes.

Keywords
Neuromodulation
Electroceutical
Bioelectric therapy
Membrane dynamics
Electrical field applications
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare they have no competing interests to declare.
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