Characterization of Eudragit Nanoparticle-Tailored β-Cyclodextrin/Thiolated Sodium Alginate/Polyethyleneglycol...

The current study aims to develop a polymer hybrid scaffold functionalized with Eudragit nanoparticles, having an inherent effect on bone tissue regeneration. Thiolated sodium alginate (TSA) was combined with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the interlinking polymer to design the hydrogel scaffold. The freeze-thaw technique was followed to develop the scaffold, and the scaffold was functionalized with Eudragit nanoparticles during freeze-thawing. The Eudragit nanoparticle was characterized by SEM, AFM, and DLS. The prepared nanoparticle-embedded polymeric scaffold was characterized by FTIR, XRD, gel fraction, swelling, water vapor transmission, SEM, and optical profilometry. The polymeric interlinking in the scaffold during the freeze-thawing method was confirmed by FTIR and XRD analysis. The developed scaffold showed swelling degree within a limit of 0.140 ± 0.100 to 0.195 ± 0.100 within 8 h, and gel fraction ranged from 36.67 ± 2.12% and 44.40 ± 2.06%. The surface smoothness and porous structure of the hydrogel scaffold were confirmed by optical profilometry. In vitro, cell line study indicated no toxicity, and molecular docking studies exhibited optimum binding energy with target proteins bone morphogenetic protein-2 and Integrin αvβ3, suggesting potential bone tissue engineering applications of the developed scaffolds.