Chitosan/Xanthan membrane containing hydroxyapatite/Graphene oxide nanocomposite for guided bone regeneration

To develop a chitosan-xanthan (CX) membrane associated with Hydroxyapatite (HA) and different concentrations of graphene oxide (GO).

The CX complex was associated with the hydroxyapatite-graphene oxide (HAGO) nanocomposite in different concentrations. The experimental groups were:1) CX; 2) Chitosan-Xanthan/Hydroxyapatite (CXHA); 3) Chitosan-Xanthan/Hydroxyapatite-Graphene Oxide 0.5% (CXHAGO 0.5%); 4) CXHAGO 1.0%; 5) CXHAGO 1.5%. The membranes characterizations were performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Contact angle, Tensile Strength, in vitro Bioactivity and the in vitro Cell viability (MTT test). The data was submitted to the Normality and Homogeneity tests. In vitro Indirect Cytotoxicity assay data was statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Tensile Strength and Contact Angle data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (α = 0.05).

XRD, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the characteristic bands of the CX polymeric complex, the phosphate bands related to HA, and the presence of GO. SEM images demonstrated the non-porous and homogeneous surface of membranes. The contact angle test showed the hydrophilic characteristic of all membranes (p > 0.05). CX showed tensile strength significantly higher than other membranes. The apatite deposition was observed in all membranes after performing the bioactivity test. The cell viability of CXHAGO 1.0% and CXHAGO 1.5% was significantly higher than CX.

The addition of HAGO reduced the mechanical strength of membranes, but improved its cell viability. It demonstrated the potential of CXHAGO membranes to be used in guided bone regeneration therapies.