Surface modification of three-dimensional poly(d,l-lactic acid) scaffolds with baicalin: a histological study

To improve the biocompatibility of three dimensional (3D) poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PDLLA), surface modification with baicalin was performed via a physical entrapment method in this study. The tissue reactions and bone conductivities of such modified PDLLA scaffolds were histologically assessed by using a rabbit radialis defect model in vivo. The native PDLLA scaffolds were prepared via a thermally induced phase separation technique and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The tissue reactions and bone conductivities of both baicalin-modified PDLLA scaffolds and native PDLLA scaffolds were comparably evaluated with histological assay and histomorphometry at different implantation intervals (2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks). Osteocalcin assay, a method to evaluate the bone formation potential, has shown that the osteocalcin production in the baicalin-modified 3D PDLLA scaffold group was significantly higher (p<0.01 or <0.05) than that in the control. Histological observation and histomorphometry results reflected a higher bone formation potential and better biocompatibility of baicalin-modified PDLLA scaffold when compared with those of the native PDLLA scaffolds.