Cowries derived aragonite as raw biomaterials for bone regenerative medicine

• Published in: Materials Science & Engineering C 2019-01, Vol.94, p.894-900
• Main Authors: Akilal, N., Lemaire, F., Bercu, N.B., Sayen, S., Gangloff, S.C., Khelfaoui, Y., Rammal, H., Kerdjoudj, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Shells - ultrastructure; Animals; Apatite; Aragonite; Biocompatibility; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; Biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Body fluids; Body Fluids - chemistry; Bone biomaterials; Bone Regeneration - drug effects; Bones; Calcium carbonate; Calcium Carbonate - pharmacology; Carbonate apatite; Cell proliferation; Cell Shape; Chemical Sciences; Construction materials; Cowries; Crystals; Cytotoxicity; Gastropoda - chemistry; Humans; In vitro methods and tests; Life Sciences; Materials science; Microstructure; Minerals; Morphology; Nacre; Physicochemical analysis; Powder; Powders; Regenerative Medicine; Stem cells; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - drug effects; Substitute bone; Surgical implants; Three dimensional printing; Tissue engineering
• ISSN: 0928-4931; 1873-0191
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.10.039

Carbonate apatites are sought as a bone substitute due to their biocompatibility and excellent resorbability. The present study deals with Cowrie's shell derived powder (CSDP) as natural biomaterial for bone regenerative medicine. Structural and physicochemical analysis showed that Cowrie's shells, presenting brick and mortar microstructures, were mainly composed of aragonite crystals, which were converted into poorly crystalline B-type carbonate apatite once soaked, at 37 °C, in simulated body fluid for 7 days, reflecting bioactive features. Cytotoxic assays showed that CSDP boosted human stem cell proliferation over the study time compared to nacre derived powder (NDP), used as positive control. Human stem cells adopted a flattened morphology and established physical contact with CSDP, signature of a good biocompatibility. Thus, these results suggested that CSDP presents a great interest for bone regenerative medicine, and could be a useful and versatile carrier/scaffold for bone tissue engineering or a raw material for 3D printed orthopedic devices. •Structural and physico-chemical characterizations of cowries shell are performed.•Bioactivity of Cowrie's shell derived powder (CSDP) was proven in vitro.•Biocompatibility of CSDP was also proven in vitro.•CSDP may thus be used as a biomaterial for bone regenerative medicine.