3D-Printing of succulent plant-like scaffolds with beneficial cell microenvironments for bone regeneration

Biomimetic materials with complicated structures inspired by natural plants play a critical role in tissue engineering. The succulent plants, with complicated morphologies, show tenacious vitality in extreme conditions due to the physiological functions endowed by their unique anatomical structures. Herein, inspired by the macroscopic structure of succulent plants, succulent plant-like bioceramic scaffolds were fabricated via digital laser processing 3D printing of MgSiO₃. Compared with conventional scaffolds with interlaced columns, the structures could prevent cells from leaking from the scaffolds and enhance cell adhesion. The scaffold morphology could be well regulated by changing leaf sizes, shapes, and interlacing methods. The succulent plant-like scaffolds show excellent properties for cell loading as well as cell distribution, promoting cellular interplay, and further enhancing the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells. The in vivo study further illustrated that the succulent plant-like scaffolds could accelerate bone regeneration by inducing the formation of new bone tissues. The study suggests that the obtained succulent plant-like scaffold featuring the plant macroscopic structure is a promising biomaterial for regulating cell distribution, enhancing cellular interactions, and further improving bone regeneration.