Effect of steroidal saponins-loaded nano-bioglass/phosphatidylserine/collagen bone substitute on bone healing

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of nano-bioglass/phosphatidylserine/collagen (nBG/PS/COL) scaffolds loaded with steroidal saponins as an inducer factor for skeletal defects. The drugs-encapsulated bone substitute was prepared by loading steroidal saponins-collagen microsphere suspension in nano-bioglass and phosphatidylserine (PS) composite. The scaffolds possess an interconnected porous structure with a porosity of about 82.3%. The pore size ranges from several micrometers up to about 400 μm. The drug release assays showed the long-term sustained release of steroidal saponins from the scaffolds with effective and safe bioactivity. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies showed that the involvement of steroidal saponins contributed to the secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF) in MC3T3-E1 cells, which may be the possible factor that greatly enhanced bone healing. The results suggest that the bone substitute is an effective implantable drug-delivery system for use in bone repair.

Keywords: bone tissue engineering; scaffold; steroidal saponins; sustained release.