Optimum performance of a novel biocompatible scaffold comprising alginate-pectin-selenium nanoparticles for cardiac tissue engineering using C2C12 cells

Abstract

Many studies have proved that selenium serum or plasma levels are significantly lesser in patients with heart diseases. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have gained more applications in medicine and biology due to their high antioxidant properties. This novel Alginate-Pectin selenium nanoparticles (AP-SeNPs) scaffold was developed using sodium alginate and pectin. In the present study, SeNPs, alginate-pectin (AP) scaffolds, and AP-SeNPs scaffolds were characterized by using Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy (RS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrum (SEM-EDX), and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The FTIR spectrum of SeNPs, AP, and AP-SeNPs scaffolds was recorded between 400-4000 cm-1. The XRD studies showed that SeNPs, AP, and AP-SeNPs scaffolds were amorphous. SEM imaging indicated that SeNPs were spherical and uniformly distributed with a 100–200 nm size range. The EDX mapping also confirmed the uniform distribution of SeNPs within the AP-SeNPs scaffold. The zeta potential measurements showed a distinct sharp peak at -71 mV, indicating the high stability of the SeNPs dispersed in the medium. In the tensile strength, the AP-SeNPs scaffold demonstrated a significant improvement in strength, increasing from 8.68 N to 11.79 N, indicating enhanced mechanical properties compared to the AP scaffold. AP-SeNPs scaffold showed a high level of antioxidative activity of 61.52%. Moreover, SeNPs showed a concentration-dependent effect against C2C12 cells using an MTT assay. The present study focused on developing a novel scaffold, its significance in antioxidative potential, mechanical strength, and its performance in the C2C12 cell line in cardiac tissue engineering applications.