PCL/Si-Doped Multi-Phase Calcium Phosphate Scaffolds Derived from Cuttlefish Bone.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Biomineralization

Background:

• Biomaterials are crucial as temporary scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration.
• Developing cost-effective and efficient biomaterials is essential for clinical translation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize silicon-doped, multi-phase composite scaffolds using cuttlefish bone and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL).
• To investigate the impact of silicon doping and PCL coating on scaffold properties for bone regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Hydrothermal synthesis of cuttlefish bone scaffolds, followed by silicon impregnation and heat treatment.
• Coating with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and characterization of microstructure, mechanical, and biological properties.
• In vitro assessment of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) using MTT assay for cytocompatibility.

Main Results:

• Obtained multi-phase scaffolds composed of calcium phosphate and calcium silicate phases with preserved porosity (~78%).
• Confirmed homogeneous silicon distribution, enhanced protein adsorption, and compressive strength of ~1.4 MPa suitable for non-load-bearing applications.
• Demonstrated non-cytotoxicity of the composite scaffolds through MTT assay with hMSCs.

Conclusions:

• Silicon-doped, PCL-coated cuttlefish bone scaffolds are biocompatible and suitable for bone tissue engineering.
• The developed biomaterials offer a promising, cost-effective approach for regenerative medicine applications.