Glucuronoxylan-based quince seed hydrogel: A promising scaffold for tissue engineering applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Natural polysaccharides like gums and mucilages are explored for tissue engineering scaffolds due to their gelation and biocompatibility.
• Plant-derived hydrogels offer potential for creating suitable environments for cell growth and tissue regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize a Glucuronoxylan-based quince seed hydrogel (QSH) scaffold for tissue engineering applications.
• To evaluate the structural, morphological, mechanical, and biological properties of the fabricated QSH.

Main Methods:

• Optimization of QSH gelation using varying concentrations of QSH and glutaraldehyde (GTA).
• Structural analysis via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
• Morphological and mechanical characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
• Assessment of protein adsorption, cell attachment, viability, and proliferation (NIH-3T3 cells).
• Analysis of spheroid formation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition (Collagen Type-I staining).

Main Results:

• Optimized QSH gelation achieved with 2 mg mL⁻¹ QSH and 0.03 M GTA, demonstrating suitability for cell attachment.
• SEM and AFM revealed a highly porous structure with remarkable swelling capacity.
• NIH-3T3 cell culture confirmed high biocompatibility, viability, and proliferation.
• Formation of approximately 300 μm spheroids and deposition of an ECM microenvironment (Collagen Type-I) were observed.

Conclusions:

• The fabricated Glucuronoxylan-based quince seed hydrogel (QSH) is a promising scaffold for 3D cell culture and tissue engineering.
• QSH exhibits a porous structure, significant swelling capacity, and excellent biocompatibility, supporting cell growth and ECM formation.
• Optimized QSH provides a viable platform for developing advanced tissue engineering applications.