Allicin-Loaded Hydroxyapatite: Enhanced Release, Cytocompatibility, and Antibacterial Properties for Bone Tissue...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Allicin, a garlic extract compound, offers health benefits but suffers from limited stability.
• Its specific effects on bone health and applications in tissue engineering require further investigation.
• Developing stable drug delivery systems is crucial for utilizing allicin's therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a novel allicin-loaded hydroxyapatite drug delivery system.
• To enhance the stability and biological properties of allicin for bone tissue engineering.
• To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy, drug release kinetics, and cytocompatibility of the fabricated system.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of allicin-loaded hydroxyapatite scaffolds.
• Incorporation of polycaprolactone (PCL) for enhanced drug release.
• Assessment of antibacterial activity against *S. aureus*.
• In vitro drug release studies at physiological pH (7.4).
• Evaluation of cytocompatibility with osteoblasts.

Main Results:

• The fabricated system exhibited excellent antibacterial efficiency against *S. aureus* within 36 hours.
• Polycaprolactone (PCL) coating significantly enhanced cumulative allicin release from ~35% to 70% over 20 days.
• Scaffolds maintained stability throughout the drug release period.
• Tested compositions showed enhanced osteoblast viability and good cell attachment at day 7.

Conclusions:

• The developed allicin-loaded hydroxyapatite scaffolds are stable and possess enhanced biological properties.
• The system demonstrates significant antibacterial activity and promotes osteoblast function.
• These scaffolds represent a promising localized delivery vehicle for bone tissue engineering applications.