Functionalized tricalcium phosphate and poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) derived composite scaffolds as platforms for the controlled release of diclofenac

• Published in: Ceramics international 2021-02, Vol.47 (3), p.3876-3883
• Main Authors: Skibiński, Szymon, Cichoń, Ewelina, Haraźna, Katarzyna, Marcello, Elena, Roy, Ipsita, Witko, Małgorzata, Ślósarczyk, Anna, Czechowska, Joanna, Guzik, Maciej, Zima, Aneta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bone tissue engineering; Diclofenac; Drug delivery; Polyhydroxyalkanoates; Scaffolds; Tricalcium phosphates
• ISSN: 0272-8842; 1873-3956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2020.09.248

Novel bone substitutes such as highly porous ceramic scaffolds can serve as platforms for delivering active molecules. A common problem is to control the release of the drug, therefore, it is beneficial to use a drug-functionalized polymer coating. In this study, β-tricalcium phosphate-based porous scaffolds were obtained and coated with diclofenac-functionalized biopolymer – poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) – P(3HO). To the best of our knowledge, studies using P(3HO) as a component in ceramic-polymer based drug delivery system for bone tissue regeneration have not yet been reported. Presented materials were comprehensively investigated by various techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, hydrostatic weighing and compression tests, pH and ionic conductivity measurements, high-performance liquid chromatography and in vitro cytotoxicity studies. The obtained diclofenac-loaded composite was not only characterised by controlled and sustained drug release, but also possessed improved mechanical properties. Moreover, the precipitation of apatite-like forms on its surface was observed after incubation in simulated body fluid, which indicates its bioactive potential. After 24 hours no cytotoxic effect on MC3T3-E1 mouse preosteoblastic cells was confirmed using indirect cytotoxicity studies. Thus, this promising multifunctional composite scaffold can be a promising candidate as an anti-inflammatory drug-delivery system in bone tissue engineering.