Fabricating 3d Printed Polymeric Scaffold Using Cissus Quadrangularis as A Bone Cell Growth Accelerator

Abstract

Introduction In general, low bone density, trauma, disease-related bone deterioration, or fractures demand surgical bone repair or replacement. A tissue substitute that can resemble with cellular matrix must be developed to ensure the rapid growth of bone tissue at the defect site. Recently plant-based scaffolds have been the great interest in the bone tissue engineering field due to their biocompatibility, and enrichment of active phyto-molecules that accelerate osteogenesis, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties with low toxic effects. For this, plant extracts are incorporated into the bone tissueengineered scaffold. The Stem of Cissus quadrangularis is rich in calcium hydroxide, phosphorous, flavonoids, phytosterols, and carotene which show osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. Due to these properties, C. quadrangularis stem extract can act as a potential growth regulator at the defect site of bone tissue. Methodology 3D Printed herbal scaffolds (SA/CH/CQ-E) were fabricated by adding C. quadrangularis stem extract (CQ-E) in Sodium alginate (SA) and Chitosan (CH) biopolymers. In this study, the effect of viscosity of the bio-inks prepared with SA/CH/CQE blends with different ratios was investigated. The morphology of the fabricated scaffolds was assessed by analyzing scanning electron microscopic images and the release of the plant extract from scaffolds was also studied. Preliminary biocompatible studies of the scaffolds were done by biomineralization, anti-microbial and anti-oxidant studies. Result The morphology of the scaffolds is significantly affected by the viscosity of the bio-ink i.e. by decreasing the viscosity of the bio-ink fiber diameter of the scaffolds increases. The release of extract from the printed scaffolds was in a controlled manner and the developed herbal scaffolds showed significantly high biomineralization, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidant activities compared to pure SA/CH scaffold. Conclusion The scaffold structures are significantly affected by the viscosity of the bio-inks. Biomineralization, anti-microbial and antioxidant properties of the scaffold are enhanced by the addition of C. quadrangularis stem extract which primarily shows the effect of the extract in bone regeneration. So, it is demonstrated that the SA/CH/CQ-E scaffold may be an ideal candidate for naïve bone regeneration at the defect site.