Synthesis, Characterization and Osteogenic Properties of Chitin-Polydioxanone Composite Gel

In this study, we have developed a Chitin(Ch)-Poly(dioxanone)(PDO) gel system, which can be potentially used for tissue engineering. Hydrogel has been widely used in biomedical applications for its tuneable properties and biocompatibility. Chitin (Ch) is a natural biopolymer used for its ability to mimic the natural extracellular matrix due to its N-acetyl glucosamine structural units. Poly (dioxanone) (PDO) is a FDA-approved synthetic biopolymer known for its mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, and poor inflammatory response. Based on this, we have developed Ch-PDO composite gel using simple regeneration chemistry and characterized it using FT-IR and SEM. The developed composite gel showed improved gel strength, good swelling ability, and controlled degradation behaviour. It also showed good inject ability with shear thinning properties and hemocompatibility. Further, the biocompatibility and cell adhesion studies of the prepared gels were studied using dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs). The prepared Ch-PDO gel was biocompatible and showed DFSCs cell attachment. Osteogenic mineralization, RUNX2 and OPN expression of the prepared Ch and Ch-PDO gel was studied and Ch-PDO gel showed an enhanced mineralization and RUNX2 and OPN expression showed enhanced osteogenic activity in Ch-PDO. Therefore, the developed chitin-PDO gel could be potentially used for bone tissue engineering.