3D Propolis-Sodium Alginate Scaffolds: Influence on Structural Parameters, Release Mechanisms, Cell Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activity.

Kubra Aranci,Cem Bulent Ustundag,Oguzhan Gunduz,Songul Ulag,Sumeyye Cesur,Jorge Carvalho Silva,Denisa Ficai,Al Amin,Anton Ficai,Mehmet Mucahit Guncu,Sevgi Kolayli,Sena Su,Muhammet Uzun,Burak Aksu

doi:10.3390/molecules25215082

Abstract

In this study, the main aim was to fabricate propolis (Ps)-containing wound dressing patches using 3D printing technology. Different combinations and structures of propolis (Ps)-incorporated sodium alginate (SA) scaffolds were developed. The morphological studies showed that the porosity of developed scaffolds was optimized when 20% (v/v) of Ps was added to the solution. The pore sizes decreased by increasing Ps concentration up to a certain level due to its adhesive properties. The mechanical, swelling-degradation (weight loss) behaviors, and Ps release kinetics were highlighted for the scaffold stability. An antimicrobial assay was employed to test and screen antimicrobial behavior of Ps against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains. The results show that the Ps-added scaffolds have an excellent antibacterial activity because of Ps compounds. An in vitro cytotoxicity test was also applied on the scaffold by using the extract method on the human dermal fibroblasts (HFFF2) cell line. The 3D-printed SA–Ps scaffolds are very useful structures for wound dressing applications.

Highlights

Additive manufacturing (AM) or three-dimensional (3D) printing is an advanced technology that is used for obtaining as a matter the output of a three-dimensional model [1,2]
Sodium alginate was chosen as a polymer due to its important parameters for tissue engineering applications
Propolis was used as an active biological substance that has a high potential for wound healing application because of its antimicrobial effects

Summary

Introduction

Additive manufacturing (AM) or three-dimensional (3D) printing is an advanced technology that is used for obtaining as a matter the output of a three-dimensional model [1,2]. The pores, pore sizes and architecture of tissue scaffolds cannot be controlled. This situation results in inconsistent and non-ideal 3D scaffolds. To overcome such problems, researchers have suggested the use of 3D printing methods to produce customized scaffolds with controlled pore size, pore structure and scaffold architecture [7]. There are many studies related to 3D-printed tissue scaffolds that are based on synthetic and natural polymers in the literature [3,4,8,9]

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