Green Synthesized Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles Reinforce Osteogenesis Properties of Bacterial Cellulose Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications: An In Vitro Assessment

Abstract

Objective: The use of biocompatible scaffolds with appropriate characteristics to treat large bone defects has attractedsignificant attention. The main objective of the current study is to fabricate a 3D nanocomposite structure that containsgreen synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) and bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibres, as a bioscaffoldfor bone regeneration.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Camellia sinensis extract was used as the green method tosynthesize MgONPs. The synthesized hydrogels were evaluated for their porosity, morphology, degradation rate,mechanical features, cell attachment, and cytocompatibility. Osteogenic differentiation was assessed by alkalinephosphatase (ALP) activity, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and alizarin redstaining.Results: MgONPs significantly increased both mechanical strength (P=0.009) and porosity (P=0.01) of the BChydrogels. Human MG-63 osteoblast proliferation significantly increased in the MgONP-BC group compared to thepure BC group (P=0.003). Expression rates of both the ALP (P=0.001) and osteocalcin (OCN) genes were significantlyenhanced in cells seeded on the MgONP-incorporated BC. MG-63 cells had significantly greater calcium depositionand ALP activity (P=0.002) on the MgONP-BC scaffold compared to the BC at day 21.Conclusion: The MgONP-BC scaffold can promote the osteogenic activity of osteoblast-like cells, which indicates itstherapeutic potential for bone tissue regeneration.

Keywords

• bacterial cellulose
• magnesium oxide
• nanoparticles osteogenesis