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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 12, 2012
Biocompatibility, biodegradation, and antioxidative potential of alginate-dragon's blood sap microbeads implanted
Diego Armando Leite Carvalho1, Gustavo Sousa Marques2, Yanna Ribeiro Macêdo2
1Universidade Federal do Ceará - Postgraduate Program in Dentistry - Fortaleza (CE) - Brazil.
Purpose:
To evaluate alginate-dragon's blood sap microbeads (DBSM) regarding biocompatibility, biodegradation, and antioxidative potential.
Methods:
Three DBSMs at concentrations of 1, 2, and 5% were developed by the drop spherification, and alginate-1% glycerin microbeads (GM) were used as control. Biocompatibility and biodegradation were evaluated by subcutaneous assay in 50 Swiss male mice, divided in the groups G1 (1% DBSM), G2 (2% DBSM) and G3 (5% DBSM), which were compared to C+ (1% GM) and C- (sham) at three and nine weeks. The histopathology of tissue irritation followed the ISO 10993-6 standard and the integrity of the biomaterials scored by quartiles. Metabolic analysis of intensity of catalase was carried out in the liver, kidneys, and tibias of the tested animals.
Results:
All microbeads were biocompatible, with less tissue irritation and greater partial resorption in G3 in subcutaneous tissue and preserved systemic antioxidant potential.
Conclusion:
The controlled release of dragon's blood sap from Croton lechleri using alginate microbeads suggests a local anti-inflammatory action dependent on the concentration of the bioactive compound. Its role in repairing specialized connective tissues such as bone should be elucidated by future in-vivo orthotopic tests.
