Bioactive diatomite and POSS silica cage reinforced chitosan/Na-carboxymethyl cellulose polyelectrolyte scaffolds for hard tissue regeneration

Abstract

Recently, natural polymers are reinforced with silica particles for hard tissue engineering applications to induce bone regeneration. In this study, as two novel bioactive agents, effects of diatomite and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) on chitosan (CS)/Na-carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC) polymer blend scaffolds are examined. In addition, the effect of silica reinforcements was compared with Si-substituted nano-hydroxyapatite (Si-Hap) particles. The morphology, physical and chemical structures of the scaffolds were characterized with SEM, liquid displacement, FT-IR, mechanical analysis, swelling and degradation studies. The particle size and the crystal structure of diatomite, POSS and Si-Hap particles were determined with DLS and XRD analyses. In vitro studies were performed to figure out the cytotoxicity, proliferation, ALP activity, osteocalcin production and biomineralization to demonstrate the promising use of natural silica particles in bone regeneration. Freeze-dried scaffolds showed 190–307 μm pore size range and 61–70% porosity. Both inorganic reinforcements increased the mechanical strength, enhanced the water uptake capacity and fastened the degradation rate. The nanocomposite scaffolds did not show any cytotoxic effect and enhanced the surface mineralization in osteogenic medium. Thus, diatomite and POSS cage structures can be potential reinforcements for nanocomposite design in hard tissue engineering applications.