Accelerated Osteogenic Response of Electrodynamically Stimulated Mg_1-CaSi_1-ZrO₃ (x = 0-0.4) Bioelectrets

MgSiO₃-based biodegradable ceramics demonstrated remarkable potential for treating small-scale bone defects and temporary bone replacement. In addition, the dissolution behavior of MgSiO₃ bioceramics can be tuned by doping of Ca and Zr elements at Mg and Si sites, respectively. The present study reported the influence of formation of Ca- and Zr-codoped Mg_1-CaSi_1-ZrO₃ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) bioelectrets and electrodynamic stimulation toward improving their osteogenic response. Mg_1-CaSi_1-ZrO₃ electrets were successfully synthesized by a solid-state route. A detailed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses revealed that the electrets produced oxygen-deficient active sites. The formation of Mg_1-CaSi_1-ZrO₃ electrets significantly increased the surface hydrophilicity. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analyses were used to examine the leaching behavior of Ca/Zr-codoped MgSiO₃ bioceramics. In vitro cell culture analyses indicated that the osteogenesis of MG-63 cells was remarkably enhanced on the electrodynamic field-treated Mg_1-CaSi_1-ZrO₃ bioelectrets as compared to hydroxyapatite (HA). Moreover, a better osteogenic response was observed for higher concentrations of Ca (0.3 and 0.4) and Zr (0.3 and 0.4) doping in the MgSiO₃ bioelectrets. Further, the mechanism of enhanced cellular functionality was revealed by the measurement of intracellular Ca²⁺.