Growth Factor-Loaded Nano-niosomal Gel Formulation and Characterization

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Controlled delivery of signaling factors is crucial for tissue engineering.
• Nano-niosomal drug delivery systems offer significant advantages for this purpose.
• Growth factors (GFs) play a key role in modulating cell behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate and evaluate a growth factor (GF)-loaded nano-niosome-hydrogel composite.
• To assess the controlled delivery of GFs for modulating cell behavior.
• To investigate the potential of this composite in tissue engineering applications.

Main Methods:

• Niosomes prepared using Span 60 surfactant and cholesterol via reverse-phase evaporation.
• Simultaneous loading of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and bovine serum albumin (BSA).
• Embedding niosomes into agarose hydrogel, followed by characterization (DLS, TEM, NanoDrop) and in vitro cell studies (HUVEC proliferation, MTT assay).

Main Results:

• Nano-niosomes exhibited an average particle size of 232 nm.
• Entrapment efficiency for proteins reached 58%.
• The bFGF-BSA-loaded niosomal hydrogel significantly enhanced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation.

Conclusions:

• The developed GF-loaded niosomal hydrogel is a potent material for controlled delivery applications.
• This composite shows promise for inducing angiogenesis in tissue engineering.
• Further applications in various biomedical fields are anticipated.