The effect of adding reduced graphene oxide to electrospun polycaprolactone scaffolds on MG-63 cells activity

Abstract

While providing a proper matrix for cellular responses, bone tissue engineering scaffolds can deal with the shortcomings of conventional treatment methods and enhance bone regeneration. In the current study, graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles were reduced using L-ascorbic acid, a green reductant. Electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) and polycaprolactone-reduced graphene oxide (PCL/rGO) scaffolds were fabricated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the correct synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The addition of rGO to electrospun PCL has increased the fiber diameter and surface roughness. Mechanical properties evaluation in a dry environment indicated that elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength declined in PCL/rGO scaffolds while strain at break improved; however, all mechanical values decreased in wet conditions. Studies on bioactivity suggest that apatite deposition requires time to occur on PCL/rGO scaffolds in vitro. This phenomenon was confirmed by Ca/P ratios obtained from EDX quantitive data. Furthermore, the degradation rate of electrospun PCL accelerated in the scaffolds enriched with rGO. Biological evaluations such as cell viability, cell attachment, and alkaline phosphatase activity were carried out using MG-63 cell lines. A significant difference has been observed in cell viability and alkaline phosphatase activity in the PCL scaffold containing 1 wt% rGO compared to pure PCL (P < 0.05). Overall, results indicated the critical correlation between rGO dosage in electrospun PCL scaffolds and MG-63 cell behavior for bone tissue applications.