Drug-delivery Ca-Mg silicate scaffolds encapsulated in PLGA

TL;DR

This study develops bioresorbable Ca-Mg silicate scaffolds encapsulated in PLGA for bone regeneration and antibiotic delivery, demonstrating improved drug release control and cell compatibility.

Contribution

It introduces a dual-functional scaffold with modified drug release kinetics and enhanced biocompatibility for bone tissue engineering.

Findings

PLGA coating buffered pH and improved drug release.

Enhanced cytocompatibility with PLGA-coated scaffolds.

Controlled vancomycin release achieved.

Abstract

The aim of this work is to develop dual-functional scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration and local antibiotic delivery applications. In this respect, bioresorbable bredigite (Ca7MgSi4O16) porous scaffolds were fabricated by a foam replica method, loaded with vancomycin hydrochloride and encapsulated in poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) coatings. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, Archimedes porosimetry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure of the scaffolds. The drug delivery kinetics and cytocompatibility of the prepared scaffolds were also studied in vitro. The bare sample exhibited a burst release of vancomycin and low biocompatibility with respect to dental pulp stem cells based on the MTT assay due to the fast bioresorption of bredigite. While keeping the desirable characteristics of pores for tissue engineering, the biodegradable PLGA coatings modified the drug release kinetics, buffered physiological pH and hence improved the cell viability of the vancomycin-loaded scaffolds considerably.