Characterization and Evaluation of Graphene Oxide Incorporated into Nanofibrous Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Introduction: Many diseases such as cancers, infections and accident may cause bone defects. So far, many efforts have been made to improve bone tissue engineering, but there are still some ambiguities in this field. Objective: The aim of the present study is the evaluation of the osteogenic properties of polycaprolactone/Chitosan/Graphene oxide nanofiber scaffold. Material and methods: The scaffolds were synthesized by electrospinning method. In this regard, polymers were dissolved in the solvent and then graphene oxide was added into polymeric solution with a ratio of 2% and 4%. The parameters of the scaffold evaluated via scanning electron microscopes (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), contact angle, alizarin red stating, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). For evaluation of the cell behavior on the scaffolds, the MG-63 was used. Result: The findings show graphene oxide not only has a positive effect on the osteogenic properties, but also improve the physico-chemical properties of the scaffolds. The scaffold with 4% graphene oxide make scaffold more hydrophilic in contrast with 2% and 0% scaffold. Conclusion: The scaffold with 4% graphene oxide shows better morphology, biocompatibility and biological properties in compare to the other scaffolds. In general, the above properties suggest that the GO could enhance osteogenic properties of the scaffolds and GO-incorporated scaffold are a suitable substrate for bone tissue engineering.