Evaluation of natural gum-based cryogels for soft tissue engineering
Ezgi Irem Bektas1, Gorke Gurel Pekozer2, Fatma Neşe Kök3
1Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul 34755, Turkey.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|August 8, 2021
Summary
Natural biomaterials Locust bean gum (LBG), Xanthan gum (XG), and Mastic gum (MG) formed promising polysaccharide-based cryogels. These scaffolds show potential for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Natural gums like Locust bean gum (LBG), Xanthan gum (XG), and Mastic gum (MG) are abundant and biocompatible.
- Cryogel scaffolds offer unique advantages for biomedical applications due to their porous structure and mechanical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize novel cryogel scaffolds using blends of LBG, XG, and MG.
- To evaluate the potential of these scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering and drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Blending LBG, XG, and MG to form cryogels (LX and LXM).
- Thermal and chemical characterization of the cryogel blends.
- Assessment of scaffold porosity, mechanical properties (tensile and compressive modulus), and drug release kinetics.
Main Results:
- Successful formation of LBG-XG (LX) and LBG-XG-MG (LXM) cryogel blends.
- Scaffolds exhibited interconnected macroporous structures (<400 μm).
- Wet cryogels showed mechanical properties comparable to other polysaccharide cryogels (tensile: 3.5-11.6 kPa, compressive: 82-398 kPa).
- Sustained release of Kartogenin (32-66%) over 21 days was observed.
Conclusions:
- LX and LXM cryogels possess favorable physical, mechanical, and chemical properties.
- These polysaccharide-based cryogels are promising for cartilage and soft tissue engineering.
- The cryogels demonstrate potential for controlled drug delivery applications.
