Natural Antibiotic Oregano in Hydroxyapatite-Coated Titanium Reduces Osteoclastic Bone Resorption for Orthopedic and Dental Applications

Bone Healing via Carvacrol and Curcumin Nanoparticle on 3D Printed Scaffolds

Carvacrol is a potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent, while curcumin possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. These phytochemicals have poor solubility, bioavailability, and stability in their free form. Nanoencapsulation can reduce these limitations with enhanced translational capability. Integrating nanocarriers with 3D-printed calcium phosphate (CaP) scaffolds presents a novel strategy for bone regeneration. Carvacrol and curcumin-loaded nanoparticles (CC-NP) synthesized with melt emulsification produced negatively charged, monodispersed particles with a hydrodynamic diameter of ≈127 nm. Their release from the scaffold shows a biphasic release under physiological and acidic conditions. At pH 5.0, the CC-NP exhibits a 53% release of curcumin and nearly 100% release of carvacrol, compared to 19% and 36% from their respective drug solutions. At pH 7.4, ≈40% of curcumin and 76% of carvacrol releases, highlighting their pH-sensitive release mechanism. In vitro studies demonstrate a 1.4-fold increase in osteoblast cell viability with CC-NP treatment. CC-NP exhibit cytotoxic effects against osteosarcoma cells, reducing cell viability by ≈2.9-fold. The antibacterial efficacy of CC-NP evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) exhibiting 98% antibacterial efficacy. This approach enhances therapeutic outcomes and minimizes the potential side effects associated with conventional treatments, paving the way for innovative applications in regenerative medicine.

Development of hybrid polyvinylpyrrolidone/carboxymethyl cellulose/collagen incorporated oregano scaffolds via direct ink write printing for potential wound healing applications

Additive manufacturing can develop regenerative scaffolds for wound healing. 3D printing offers meticulous porosity, mechanical integrity, cell adhesion and cost-effectiveness. Herein, we prepared ink composed of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), collagen, and oregano extract for the fabrication of tissue constructs. The blend was optimized to form a homogeneous ink and rheological characterization demonstrated shear thinning behavior. The scaffolds were printed using Direct Ink Write (DIW) at a flow speed of 4 mm3/s and a layer height of 0.18 mm. The fabricated scaffolds demonstrated an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and toughness of 730 KPa and 2.72 MJ/m3, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed an average pore size of 300 ± 30 μm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed that all materials were present. The contact angle of the composite scaffold was 68° ± 1°. Moreover, the scaffolds presented 82 % mass loss (degradation) in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) over 14 days. The composite scaffold exhibited inhibition zones of 9 mm and 12 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The PVP/CMC/collagen/oregano 3D printed scaffolds exhibited excellent biocompatibility with the mesenchymal stem cells and humman dermal fibroblast cells, confirmed by water-soluble tetrazolium - 8 (WST-8) assay (test conducted for 7 days). The enhanced angiogenic potential of said scaffold was assesed by release of vascular endothelial growth factor followed by further validation through in-vivo CAM assay. Thus, confirming suitability for the potential wound healing application.

Biomaterial scaffolds in maxillofacial bone tissue engineering: A review of recent advances

Maxillofacial bone defects caused by congenital malformations, trauma, tumors, and inflammation can severely affect functions and aesthetics of maxillofacial region. Despite certain successful clinical applications of biomaterial scaffolds, ideal bone regeneration remains a challenge in maxillofacial region due to its irregular shape, complex structure, and unique biological functions. Scaffolds that address multiple needs of maxillofacial bone regeneration are under development to optimize bone regeneration capacity, costs, operational convenience. etc. In this review, we first highlight the special considerations of bone regeneration in maxillofacial region and provide an overview of the biomaterial scaffolds for maxillofacial bone regeneration under clinical examination and their efficacy, which provide basis and directions for future scaffold design. Latest advances of these scaffolds are then discussed, as well as future perspectives and challenges. Deepening our understanding of these scaffolds will help foster better innovations to improve the outcome of maxillofacial bone tissue engineering.

3D Printed SiO2-Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffolds Loaded with Carvacrol Nanoparticles for Bone Tissue Engineering Application

Bone damage resulting from trauma or aging poses challenges in clinical settings that need to be addressed using bone tissue engineering (BTE). Carvacrol (CA) possesses anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antibacterial properties. Limited solubility and physicochemical stability restrict its biological activity, requiring a stable carrier system for delivery. Here, we investigate the utilization of a three-dimensional printed (3DP) SiO2-doped tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffold functionalized with carvacrol-loaded lipid nanoparticles (CA-LNPs) to improve bone health. It exhibits a negative surface charge with an entrapment efficiency of ∼97% and size ∼129 nm with polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential values of 0.18 and -16 mV, respectively. CA-LNPs exhibit higher and long-term release over 35 days. The CA-LNP loaded SiO2-doped TCP scaffold demonstrates improved antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by >90% reduction in bacterial growth. Functionalized scaffolds result in 3-fold decrease and 2-fold increase in osteosarcoma and osteoblast cell viability, respectively. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of the CA-LNP loaded SiO2-doped TCP scaffold for bone defect treatment.

Curcumin and Vitamin C dual release from Hydroxyapatite coated Ti6Al4V discs enhances in vitro biological properties

Titanium alloys are widely used as implant materials due to their biocompatibility and superior mechanical properties for high-load-bearing applications. However, one of the major challenges is their inferior bioactivity and osseoconductivity. Hydroxyapatite is widely used as an alternative material for bone implants due to its compositional similarity to natural bone. In this study, hydroxyapatite is coated on Ti6Al4V discs to enhance its bioactivity. The coated discs are drop-casted with curcumin in the lower layer and vitamin C in the upper layer. This study aims to evaluate the effects of this dual drug delivery system on osteoblast cell proliferation, inhibition of osteoclastogenesis, chemo-preventive and infection control properties. The coating strength obtained is 22 ± 2 MPa. The release from the dual delivery system shows a 1.5-fold increase in osteoblast cell viability, a 1.5-fold reduction in osteoclast cell differentiation, a 2-fold decrease in osteosarcoma growth. The release of curcumin demonstrates a 94% antibacterial efficacy, while the release of vitamin C exhibits an efficacy of 98.6% aganist Staphylococcus aureus. This multifunctional system can be used as a potential implant for load-bearing applications.

Green Synthesized Polymeric Iodophors with Thyme as Antimicrobial Agents

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern for the future of mankind. Common antibiotics fail in the treatment of microbial infections at an alarming rate. Morbidity and mortality rates increase, especially among immune-compromised populations. Medicinal plants and their essential oils, as well as iodine could be potential solutions against resistant pathogens. These natural antimicrobials abate microbial proliferation, especially in synergistic combinations. We performed a simple, one-pot synthesis to prepare our formulation with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-complexed iodine (I2), Thymus Vulgaris L. (Thyme), and Aloe Barbadensis Miller (AV). SEM/EDS, UV-vis, Raman, FTIR, and XRD analyses verified the purity, composition, and morphology of AV-PVP-Thyme-I2. We investigated the inhibitory action of the bio-formulation AV-PVP-Thyme-I2 against 10 selected reference pathogens on impregnated sterile discs, surgical sutures, cotton gauze bandages, surgical face masks, and KN95 masks. The antimicrobial properties of AV-PVP-Thyme-I2 were studied by disc diffusion methods and compared with those of the antibiotics gentamycin and nystatin. The results confirm AV-PVP-Thyme-I2 as a strong antifungal and antibacterial agent against the majority of the tested microorganisms with excellent results on cotton bandages and face masks. After storing AV-PVP-Thyme-I2 for 18 months, the inhibitory action was augmented compared to the fresh formulation. Consequently, we suggest AV-PVP-Thyme-I2 as an antimicrobial agent against wound infections and a spray-on contact killing agent.

Natural medicine delivery from 3D printed bone substitutes

Unmet medical needs in treating critical-size bone defects have led to the development of numerous innovative bone tissue engineering implants. Although additive manufacturing allows flexible patient-specific treatments by modifying topological properties with various materials, the development of ideal bone implants that aid new tissue regeneration and reduce post-implantation bone disorders has been limited. Natural biomolecules are gaining the attention of the health industry due to their excellent safety profiles, providing equivalent or superior performances when compared to more expensive growth factors and synthetic drugs. Supplementing additive manufacturing with natural biomolecules enables the design of novel multifunctional bone implants that provide controlled biochemical delivery for bone tissue engineering applications. Controlled release of naturally derived biomolecules from a three-dimensional (3D) printed implant may improve implant-host tissue integration, new bone formation, bone healing, and blood vessel growth. The present review introduces us to the current progress and limitations of 3D printed bone implants with drug delivery capabilities, followed by an in-depth discussion on cutting-edge technologies for incorporating natural medicinal compounds embedded within the 3D printed scaffolds or on implant surfaces, highlighting their applications in several pre- and post-implantation bone-related disorders.

Hydroxyapatite coated titanium with curcumin and epigallocatechin gallate for orthopedic and dental applications

Titanium and its alloy are clinically used as an implant material for load-bearing applications to treat bone defects. However, the lack of biological interaction between bone tissue and implant and the risk of infection are still critical challenges in clinical orthopedics. In the current work, we have developed a novel approach by first 1) modifying the implant surface using hydroxyapatite (HA) coating to enhance bioactivity and 2) integrating curcumin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the coating that would induce chemopreventive and osteogenic potential and impart antibacterial properties to the implant. The study shows that curcumin and EGCG exhibit controlled and sustained release profiles in acidic and physiological environments. Curcumin and EGCG also show in vitro cytotoxicity toward osteosarcoma cells after 11 days, and the dual system shows a ~94 % reduction in bacterial growth, indicating their in vitro chemopreventive potential and antibacterial efficacy. The release of both curcumin and EGCG was found to be compatible with osteoblast cells and further promotes their growth. It shows a 3-fold enhancement in cellular viability in the dual drug-loaded implant compared to the untreated samples. These findings suggest that multifunctional HA-coated Ti6Al4V implants integrated with curcumin and EGCG could be a promising strategy for osteosarcoma inhibition and osteoblast cell growth while preventing infection.

Porous metal implants: processing, properties, and challenges

Porous and functionally graded materials have seen extensive applications in modern biomedical devices-allowing for improved site-specific performance; their appreciable mechanical, corrosive, and biocompatible properties are highly sought after for lightweight and high-strength load-bearing orthopedic and dental implants. Examples of such porous materials are metals, ceramics, and polymers. Although, easy to manufacture and lightweight, porous polymers do not inherently exhibit the required mechanical strength for hard tissue repair or replacement. Alternatively, porous ceramics are brittle and do not possess the required fatigue resistance. On the other hand, porous biocompatible metals have shown tailorable strength, fatigue resistance, and toughness. Thereby, a significant interest in investigating the manufacturing challenges of porous metals has taken place in recent years. Past research has shown that once the advantages of porous metallic structures in the orthopedic implant industry have been realized, their biological and biomechanical compatibility-with the host bone-has been followed up with extensive methodical research. Various manufacturing methods for porous or functionally graded metals are discussed and compared in this review, specifically, how the manufacturing process influences microstructure, graded composition, porosity, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties. Most of the studies discussed in this review are related to porous structures for bone implant applications; however, the understanding of these investigations may also be extended to other devices beyond the biomedical field.

Electrophoretic Deposition, Microstructure, and Selected Properties of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) Acid-Based Antibacterial Coatings on Mg Substrate

There is an urgent need to develop biodegradable implants that can degrade once they have fulfilled their function. Commercially pure magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have the potential to surpass traditional orthopedic implants due to their good biocompatibility and mechanical properties, and most critically, biodegradability. The present work focuses on the synthesis and characterization (microstructural, antibacterial, surface, and biological properties) of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)/henna (Lawsonia inermis)/Cu-doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (Cu-MBGNs) composite coatings deposited via electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on Mg substrates. PLGA/henna/Cu-MBGNs composite coatings were robustly deposited on Mg substrates using EPD, and their adhesive strength, bioactivity, antibacterial activity, corrosion resistance, and biodegradability were thoroughly investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies confirmed the uniformity of the coatings' morphology and the presence of functional groups that were attributable to PLGA, henna, and Cu-MBGNs, respectively. The composites exhibited good hydrophilicity with an average roughness of 2.6 μm, indicating desirable properties for bone forming cell attachment, proliferation, and growth. Crosshatch and bend tests confirmed that the adhesion of the coatings to Mg substrates and their deformability were adequate. Electrochemical Tafel polarization tests revealed that the composite coating adjusted the degradation rate of Mg substrate in a human physiological environment. Incorporating henna into PLGA/Cu-MBGNs composite coatings resulted in antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The coatings stimulated the proliferation and growth of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells during the initial incubation period of 48 h (determined by the WST-8 assay).

Improving Biocompatibility for Next Generation of Metallic Implants

The increasing need for joint replacement surgeries, musculoskeletal repairs, and orthodontics worldwide prompts emerging technologies to evolve with healthcare's changing landscape. Metallic orthopaedic materials have a shared application history with the aerospace industry, making them only partly efficient in the biomedical domain. However, suitability of metallic materials in bone tissue replacements and regenerative therapies remains unchallenged due to their superior mechanical properties, eventhough they are not perfectly biocompatible. Therefore, exploring ways to improve biocompatibility is the most critical step toward designing the next generation of metallic biomaterials. This review discusses methods of improving biocompatibility of metals used in biomedical devices using surface modification, bulk modification, and incorporation of biologics. Our investigation spans multiple length scales, from bulk metals to the effect of microporosities, surface nanoarchitecture, and biomolecules such as DNA incorporation for enhanced biological response in metallic materials. We examine recent technologies such as 3D printing in alloy design and storing surface charge on nanoarchitecture surfaces, metal-on-metal, and ceramic-on-metal coatings to present a coherent and comprehensive understanding of the subject. Finally, we consider the advantages and challenges of metallic biomaterials and identify future directions.

Effects of Vitamin A (Retinol) Release from Calcium Phosphate Matrices and Porous 3D Printed Scaffolds on Bone Cell Proliferation and Maturation

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble compound widely known for vision health. Highly variable reports on its effects on bone health have necessitated further research to truly understand its role on bone cell proliferation. Retinol, one bioactive form of vitamin A, is incorporated into synthetic bone graft scaffolds for low load-bearing clinical bone treatment. The objective of this work is to understand the effects of retinol on osteoblast and osteoclast cells when embedded within calcium phosphate matrices, including interconnected porous 3D printed tricalcium phosphate scaffolds. Results show that hydrophobic retinol can be released from bone scaffolds when a combination of biodegradable polymers, polycaprolactone and polyethylene glycol, are employed as drug carriers. The release of retinol in vitro can support a 20 ± 1% increase in osteoblast (bone-forming) cell proliferation with proper cell adhesion and filopodial extensions. Osteoclast cell morphology is necrosed and torn with a reduction in proliferation at approximately 6 ± 1% when retinol is present. In addition, inhibition of osteoclastic resorption pit bays is noted using scanning electron microscopy. With the scaffolds' round pore interconnectivity facilitating retinol release, this system can provide an alternative to traditional bone grafts while additionally supporting bone healing through enhanced osteoblast cell proliferation and inhibition of osteoclast resorption activity.

Bioactive Surface Modifications through Thermally Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Composite Coatings: A Review over Selective Reinforcements

Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been an excellent replacement for the natural bone in orthopedic applications, owing to its close resemblance; however, it is brittle and has low strength. Surface modification techniques...

Dopamine-assisted co-deposition of hydroxyapatite-functionalised nanoparticles of polydopamine on implant surfaces to promote osteogenesis in environments with high ROS levels

Environments with high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which are common in patients with diseases such as diabetes, periodontitis, and osteoporosis, impair the osseointegration of implants. To address this issue, by using a one-pot dopamine-assisted co-deposition method, we constructed a three-dimensional coating of hydroxyapatite-functionalised nanoparticles of polydopamine (HA/nPDAs) on implant surfaces, where polydopamine is designed to protect cells via scavenging excessive ROS and HA facilitates osteogenesis. First, nanoparticles of polydopamine (nPDAs) were prepared by self-polymerization and assembly of dopamine under alkaline conditions, and HA/nPDAs were obtained by incubating nPDAs in simulated body fluid (SBF) due to metal chelation and ionic interactions triggered by the catechol moieties of PDA. Thereafter, HA/nPDAs with thickness of ~4 μm were constructed on titanium surfaces by immersing titanium discs in a weak alkaline solution of HA/nPDAs and dopamine through interface interactions driven by catechol chemistry. The properties of coatings (e.g., thickness, composition, hydrophilia and morphology) can be controlled by preparation conditions such as mineralization time and reactant concentration. The coatings display efficient ROS-scavenging ability, promote cell proliferation, and upregulate the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the expression of osteogenesis-related genes in environments with high or normal ROS levels, demonstrating the great promise of such coatings for osseointegration promotion, especially in the state of high ROS in diseases. This study provides a facile, efficient, mild, and universal strategy in engineering functional surfaces on any substrates for diversified applications by simple variation of co-deposited components, through taking advantages of versatile catechol chemistry and nanoparticles with stereo structure and great specific surface area.

Three-Dimensionally Printed Ti2448 With Low Stiffness Enhanced Angiogenesis and Osteogenesis by Regulating Macrophage Polarization via Piezo1/YAP Signaling Axis

Previous studies have found that the novel low-elastic-modulus Ti2448 alloy can significantly reduce stress shielding and contribute to better bone repair than the conventional Ti6Al4V alloy. In this study, the promotion of osteogenesis and angiogenesis by three-dimensionally printed Ti2448 were also observed in vivo. However, these were not significant in a series of in vitro tests. The stiffness of materials has been reported to greatly affect the response of macrophages, and the immunological regulation mediated by macrophages directly determines the fate of bone implants. Therefore, we designed more experiments to explore the role of three-dimensionally printed Ti2448 in macrophage activation and related osteogenesis and angiogenesis. As expected, we found a significant increase in the number of M2 macrophages around Ti2448 implants, as well as better osteogenesis and angiogenesis in vivo. In vitro studies also showed that macrophages pre-treated with Ti2448 alloy significantly promoted angiogenesis and osteogenic differentiation through increased PDGF-BB and BMP-2 secretion, and the polarization of M2 macrophages was enhanced. We deduced that Ti2448 promotes angiogenesis and osteogenesis through Piezo1/YAP signaling axis-mediated macrophage polarization and related cytokine secretion. This research might provide insight into the biological properties of Ti2448 and provide a powerful theoretical supplement for the future application of three-dimensionally printed Ti2448 implants in orthopaedic surgery.

Bioactive Herbal Extracts of Traditional Chinese Medicine Applied with the Biomaterials: For the Current Applications and Advances in the Musculoskeletal System

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated superior therapeutic effect for musculoskeletal diseases for thousands of years. Recently, the herbal extracts of TCM have received rapid advances in musculoskeletal tissue engineering (MTE). A literature review collecting both English and Chinese references on bioactive herbal extracts of TCM in biomaterial-based approaches was performed. This review provides an up-to-date overview of application of TCMs in the field of MTE, involving regulation of multiple signaling pathways in osteogenesis, angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, and chondrogenesis. Meanwhile, we highlight the potential advantages of TCM, opening the possibility of its extensive application in MTE. Overall, the superiority of traditional Chinese medicine turns it into an attractive candidate for coupling with advanced additive manufacturing technology.