Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
08:02
Fabrication of Decellularized Cartilage-derived Matrix Scaffolds
Published on: January 7, 2019
11.4K
Fabricating a pre-vascularized large-sized metabolically-supportive scaffold using Brassica oleracea leaf
Sonal Walawalkar1, Shahdab Almelkar1
1Division of Tissue Engineering & Cell Science (TECS), HEAL BIOLABS, Shree Hospital & Research Institute (SHRI), Maharashtra, India.
Journal of Biomaterials Applications
|November 2, 2020
Summary
Plant leaves can be decellularized to create vascularized scaffolds for tissue engineering. This innovative approach supports mammalian cell growth and metabolic activity, offering a promising solution for large graft clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Plant Biology
Background:
- Clinical translation of large tissue-engineered grafts is hindered by poor vascularization.
- Plants and animals share structural similarities, suggesting plant tissues as a potential source for biomaterials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of plant leaves as scaffolds for tissue engineering.
- To evaluate vascularization, biocompatibility, and cellular support of decellularized leaf scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of scaffolds from *Brassica oleracea* leaves using SDS.
- Endothelial cell culture and expansion on leaf scaffolds.
- Assessment of vascularity, acellularity, cell viability, metabolic activity, and phenotype using various techniques (angiography, histology, SEM, biochemical assays, cell markers).
Main Results:
- Decellularized leaf scaffolds preserved vascularity and demonstrated oxidation resistance similar to natural leaves.
- Histology, SEM, and DNA quantification confirmed scaffold acellularity and successful cellular establishment.
- Biochemical markers and cell-specific markers indicated metabolic activity and maintained cell phenotype.
- Cytotoxicity and live-dead assays confirmed cell viability on the scaffolds.
Conclusions:
- Decellularized leaf scaffolds are non-toxic, preserve vascularity, maintain cell identity, and support mammalian cell metabolic activity.
- This study presents a novel, plant-derived biomaterial with futuristic potential for overcoming vascularization challenges in large tissue-engineered grafts.
