Low-temperature extrusion-based 3D printing of icariin-laden scaffolds for osteogenesis enrichment

Despite the accessibility to porous architectures through various biofabrication approaches for tissue engineering, incorporating various active growth regulators within their matrices that act as biochemical cues is also an essential attribute for effective tissue growth. To address these facts, icariin (ICA)-encapsulated polymeric scaffolds are fabricated using a low-temperature extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing technology for efficiently promoting osteogenesis. This approach not only resulted in the generation of porous architectures but also substantially maintained the bio-efficacy of the encapsulated ICA. Moreover, these composite scaffolds based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) encapsulated with ICA (ITP scaffolds) are systematically characterized using various techniques before and after printing. Furthermore, various investigations relevant to biodegradability, biocompatibility, ICA release, and osteogenic ability of the ITP scaffolds are explored. The intact physiochemical properties of the materials, sustained release of ICA from the scaffolds, and high biosafety at various levels ranging from cellular to animal efficiently promoted the proliferation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and their differentiation to osteoblasts. Together, the utilization of low-temperature extrusion approach provides a convenient and eco-friendly means of fabricating highly porous 3D architectures that supply the required growth regulators in their active form for tissue regeneration.