Physicochemical and cytological properties of silicon-doping octacalcium phosphate

Abstract

• Si was successfully doped in the metastable OCP crystals by a precipitation method. • Si doping led to the contraction of OCP structure with smaller lattice parameters. • Si doping preferred forming a cluster-like hierarchical structure of OCP crystals. • Si-OCP notably promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. • Si-OCPs enhanced the responses of BMSCs by ionic release and mineral deposits. Silicon was successfully doped into an intermediate precursor of biological apatite, octacalcium phosphate (OCP), accompanied with a lattice contraction. Si-doped OCP significantly enhanced the proliferation and osteogenic capacities of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by the synergistical effect of bioactive ions release and mineral deposits, providing a potential bone substitute.