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Published on: October 23, 2015
Polycaprolactone-laponite composite scaffold releasing strontium ranelate for bone tissue engineering applications
Bindu P Nair1, Megha Sindhu2, Prabha D Nair2
1Division of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration Technologies, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695012, Kerala, India; Department of Chemistry, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram 695004, Kerala, India.
This study introduces a novel polycaprolactone-laponite composite scaffold for controlled strontium ranelate (SRA) release, offering a promising osteoporosis treatment. An optimal 3wt% scaffold composition enhances bone cell activity while ensuring cell viability.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Osteoporosis Research
Background:
- Osteoporosis treatment often involves drug delivery systems for enhanced efficacy.
- Controlled release of osteoporosis drugs like strontium ranelate (SRA) is crucial for therapeutic success.
- Developing advanced composite scaffolds is key to improving drug delivery and bone regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a polycaprolactone-laponite composite scaffold for the controlled release of strontium ranelate (SRA).
- To investigate the complexation of SRA with laponite and its impact on scaffold properties.
- To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of the composite scaffold in promoting osteoblast activity.
Main Methods:
- Aqueous phase reaction to form a laponite-SRA complex.
- Solution blending of the laponite-SRA complex with polycaprolactone (PCL) to create composite scaffolds.
- In vitro evaluation using human osteosarcoma cells to assess cell viability and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity.
Main Results:
- Successful complexation of SRA with laponite was confirmed, maintaining laponite's interlayer spacing.
- Improved dispersibility of laponite in PCL was observed due to SRA interaction, enhancing scaffold fabrication.
- Composite scaffolds with 3wt% laponite-SRA loading demonstrated enhanced ALP activity in osteosarcoma cells without compromising cell viability.
Conclusions:
- The developed polycaprolactone-laponite composite scaffold facilitates controlled strontium ranelate release for osteoporosis treatment.
- An optimal scaffold composition of 3wt% laponite-SRA complex is identified for enhanced therapeutic effects.
- This composite scaffold represents a promising biomaterial for bone regeneration and drug delivery applications.

