Fabrication and characterizations of simvastatin-containing mesoporous bioactive glass and molybdenum disulfide scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Due to the limitations of the current treatment approaches of allograft and autograft techniques, treating bone disorders is a significant challenge. To address these shortcomings, a novel biomaterial composite is required. This study presents the preparation and fabrication of a novel biomaterial composite scaffold that combines poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), and simvastatin (Sim) to address the limitations of current bone grafting techniques of autograft and allograft. The fabricated scaffold of PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim composites was developed using a low-cost hydraulic press and salt leaching method, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the scaffolds have a pore size between 143 and 240 μm. The protein adsorption for fabricated scaffolds was increased at 24 h. The water adsorption and retention studies showed significant results on the PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim composite scaffold. The biodegradation studies of the PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim composite scaffold have shown 54% after 28 days. In vitro, bioactivity evaluation utilizing simulated body fluid studies confirmed the development of bone mineral hydroxyapatite on the scaffolds, which was characterized using x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and SEM analysis. Furthermore, the PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim composite scaffold is biocompatible with C3H10T1/2 cells and expresses more alkaline phosphatase and mineralization activity. Additionally, in vivo research showed that PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim stimulates a higher rate of bone regeneration. These findings highlight the fabricated PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim composite scaffold presents a promising solution for the limitations of current bone grafting techniques.

Casein-assisted exfoliation of tungsten disulfide nanosheets for biomedical applications

Our regular life can be more challenging by bone abnormalities. Bone tissue engineering is used for repairing, regenerating, or replacing bone tissue that has been injured or infected. It is effective in overcoming the drawbacks of conventional bone grafting methods like autograft and allograft by enhancing the effectiveness of bone regeneration. Recent discoveries have shown that the exfoliation of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with protein is in great demand for bone tissue engineering applications. WS2 nanosheets were developed using casein and subsequently characterized with different analytical techniques. Strong absorption peaks were observed in the UV-visible spectra at 520 nm and 630 nm. Alginate and alginate-casein WS2 microspheres were developed. Stereomicroscopic images of the microspheres are spherical in shape and have an average diameter of around 0.8 ± 0.2 mm. The alginate-casein WS2 microspheres show higher content of water absorption and retention properties than only alginate-containing microspheres. The apatite formation in the simulated bodily fluid solution was facilitated more effectively by the alginate-casein-WS2 microspheres. Additionally, alginate-casein-WS2 microspheres have a compressive strength is 58.01 ± 4 MPa. Finally, in vitro cell interaction studies reveals that both the microspheres are biocompatible with the C3H10T1/2 cells, and alginate-casein-WS2-based microspheres promote cell growth more significantly. Alginate-casein-WS2 microspheres promote alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization process. Additionally, alginate-casein-WS2-based microspheres exponentially enhance the genes for ALP, BMP-2, OCN, and Collage type-1. The produced alginate-casein-WS2 microspheres could be a suitable synthetic graft for a bone transplant replacement.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic efficacy of Alkanna tinctoria on glioma cells

Glioblastoma is the most common lethal form of malignant tumor that arises from the central nervous system. The present-day therapeutic strategies possess their own pros and cons. Hence, there is a need to look back into the traditional medicines that could be potential agents to treat glioblastoma. One of the potential approaches in anticancer therapy is to induce tumor cell death by natural phytochemicals which pose minimum adverse effects. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of hexane extract of Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Tausch on U87MG cells using various biological activities. The results obtained from our study state that the plant extract showed potential anticancer activity against U87MG cells. The molecular docking studies indicated that alkannin and shikonin present in the extract could efficiently bind to brain tumor cell receptors and showed better docking scores when compared to commercially available drugs temozolomide and bevacizumab.

Remineralizing Potential of Natural Nano-Hydroxyapatite Obtained from Epinephelus chlorostigma in Artificially Induced Early Enamel Lesion: An In Vitro Study

Dental caries is a common problem in adolescents, leading to permanent loss of teeth or cavitation. Caries is a continuous process wherein demineralization and remineralization occur regularly. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is one of the most biocompatible and bioactive materials, as it closely resembles the mineral composition of teeth. The present study deals with isolating hydroxyapatite from fish bone (Epinephelus chlorostigma) by alkaline hydrolysis and thermal calcination. The isolated nano HA was characterized using FT-IR, XRD, TGA, FE-SEM-EDX, and HR-TEM analysis. The nano HA isolated by alkaline hydrolysis is nontoxic, and the cells are viable. The isolated HA enhances the proliferation of L929 cells. The remineralization potential of the extracted nano HA was evaluated in healthy premolars by DIAGNOdent/laser fluorescence quantification, surface microhardness test, and SEM-EDX analysis. Surface morphological observations in SEM and EDX analyses show that thermally calcined HA and alkali-treated HA can induce mineralization and deposit minerals. Therefore, HA obtained from Epinephelus chlorostigma could be a potential biomaterial for treating early caries.

Biomimetic chitosan with biocomposite nanomaterials for bone tissue repair and regeneration

Biomimetic materials for better bone graft substitutes are a thrust area of research among researchers and clinicians. Autografts, allografts, and synthetic grafts are often utilized to repair and regenerate bone defects. Autografts are still considered the gold-standard method/material to treat bone-related issues with satisfactory outcomes. It is important that the material used for bone tissue repair is simultaneously osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and osteogenic. To overcome this problem, researchers have tried several ways to develop different materials using chitosan-based nanocomposites of silver, copper, gold, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, and biosilica. The combination of materials helps in the expression of ideal bone formation genes of alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenic protein, runt-related transcription factor-2, bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin. In vitro and in vivo studies highlight the scientific findings of antibacterial activity, tissue integration, stiffness, mechanical strength, and degradation behaviour of composite materials for tissue engineering applications.

Casein-Coated Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheets Augment the Bioactivity of Alginate Microspheres for Orthopedic Applications

Defects and disorders of the bone due to disease, trauma, or abnormalities substantially affect a person's life quality. Research in bone tissue engineering is motivated to address these clinical needs. The present study demonstrates casein-mediated liquid exfoliation of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and its coupling with alginate to create microspheres to engineer bone graft substitutes. Casein-exfoliated nano-MoS₂ was chemically characterized using different analytical techniques. The UV-visible spectrum of nano-MoS₂-2 displayed strong absorption peaks at 610 and 668 nm. In addition, the XPS spectra confirmed the presence of the molybdenum (Mo, 3d), sulfur (S, 2p), carbon (C, 1s), oxygen (O, 1s), and nitrogen (N, 1s) elements. The exfoliated MoS₂ nanosheets were biocompatible with the MG-63, MC3T3-E1, and C2C12 cells at 250 μg/mL concentration. Further, microspheres were created using alginate, and they were characterized physiochemically and biologically. Stereomicroscopic images showed that the microspheres were spherical with an average diameter of 1 ± 0.2 mm. The dispersion of MoS₂ in the alginate matrix was uniform. The alginate-MoS₂ microspheres promoted apatite formation in the SBF (simulated body fluid) solution. Moreover, the alginate-MoS₂ was biocompatible with MG-63 cells and promoted cell proliferation. Higher alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization were observed on the alginate-MoS₂ with the MG-63 cells. Hence, the developed alginate-MoS₂ microsphere could be a potential candidate for a bone graft substitute.

Microspheres containing biosynthesized silver nanoparticles with alginate-nano hydroxyapatite for biomedical applications

Scaffolding system plays an important role in the development of artificial bone for treatment of defective or diseased bone tissue. In the present work, we have developed microspheres (COS-Ag-Alg-HA) containing chitooligosaccharide (COS) coated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with alginate (Alg) and hydroxyapatite (HA) as bone graft substitutes. The developed microspheres were characterized through various analytical techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy with EDX and evaluated the mechanical strength by using universal testing machine. In addition to this, antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility of the developed microspheres were evaluated with pathogenic microbes and osteoblast-like cells, respectively. Results suggest that microspheres are rigid, and strong chemical interactions were observed between the materials. The size of the microspheres was ranging from 1.5 ± 0.5 to 4.0 ± 0.5 mm. Significant microbial inhibition was observed against Staphylococcus aureus, and the developed microspheres are biocompatible with osteoblast-like cells. Based on the aforementioned finding results, the developed microsphere is proposed to be a potential candidate for bone tissue repair and regeneration.