3D-Printed Polycaprolactone/Nano Bredigite Scaffolds With Varying Bredigite Content for Enhanced Bone Tissue Engineering Publisher



M Kheradmandfard MEHDI ; Sf Kashanibozorg Seyed FARSHID ; A Poursamar ALI ; De Kim D E
Source: Surfaces and Interfaces Published:2025

Abstract

Large bone defects present a substantial clinical challenge due to their inability to self-heal. This study explores the development and characterization of customizable 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL)/nano bredigite scaffolds to enhance bioactivity and bone regeneration. Bredigite, Ca7MgSi4O16, known for its superior bioactivity due to the presence of calcium, magnesium, and silicon, was incorporated into PCL matrices at varying concentrations (0%, 15%, 30%, and 50%). The scaffolds were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to confirm the successful incorporation of bredigite and evaluate structural properties. Mechanical properties were assessed through stress-strain analysis, revealing that scaffolds with 15% and 30% bredigite content exhibited significantly improved compressive strength compared to pure PCL, with 15% providing the optimal balance of strength and stiffness. Bredigite incorporation significantly enhanced the bioactivity of PCL/nano bredigite scaffolds by accelerating apatite formation and increasing its amount; notably, higher bredigite content further amplified this bioactivity. Cell compatibility and proliferation were tested using MG-63 osteoblast-like cells, with results showing improved cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity in bredigite-incorporated scaffolds. These findings suggest that PCL/nano bredigite scaffolds offer a promising solution for bone tissue engineering, balancing mechanical strength and bioactivity to support effective bone regeneration. This study developed different scaffolds with expanded areas of mechanical properties, bioactivity, and biocompatibility, which can be selected based on the specific applications and requirements. These findings highlight the potential of PCL/nano bredigite scaffolds in bone tissue engineering, providing a versatile platform for customizing scaffold properties to meet diverse clinical needs. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.