3D-Printed Calcium Phosphate with Ginger Extract and Zinc for Controlled Release

Greg Howard
24th August, 2024

3D-Printed Calcium Phosphate with Ginger Extract and Zinc for Controlled Release

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Washington State University developed a new bone treatment combining gingerol and zinc in a 3D-printed calcium phosphate scaffold
  • The scaffold releases the gingerol-zinc complex slowly over six weeks, promoting sustained bone healing and reducing infection risk
  • The treatment showed increased bone cell growth and activity, and effectively killed bone cancer cells and reduced bacterial infections
Bone disorders and injuries pose significant challenges in the medical field, often requiring innovative solutions for effective treatment. Traditional methods, while effective to some extent, have limitations in terms of efficacy and potential side effects. Recent research from Washington State University has explored a promising new approach that combines natural medicines with advanced biomaterials to enhance bone regeneration and combat infections[1]. The study focuses on gingerol, an active compound derived from ginger roots (Zingiber officinale), known for its osteogenic properties. By complexing gingerol with zinc (Zn), a trace element that promotes osteoblast proliferation and has antibacterial properties, researchers developed a G-Zn+2 complex. This complex was then integrated into a porous 3D-printed (3DP) calcium phosphate (CaP) scaffold, which was coated with polycaprolactone (PCL) to control drug release. Calcium phosphate-based bioceramics are widely used in bone tissue engineering due to their compositional similarity to bone mineral and excellent biocompatibility[2][3]. They serve as effective scaffolds for bone regeneration, gradually degrading as new bone forms, ultimately restoring the bone's original geometry and function[2]. The integration of the G-Zn+2 complex into CaP scaffolds aims to leverage these properties while enhancing the scaffold's therapeutic potential. The 3DP CaP scaffold loaded with the G-Zn+2 complex demonstrated a controlled release of the complex, with 50% being released over six weeks through diffusion-mediated kinetics. This controlled release is crucial for maintaining therapeutic levels of the complex over an extended period, promoting sustained bone healing and reducing the risk of infection. To assess the efficacy of the G-Zn+2 complex, the study evaluated its cytotoxicity against MG-63 osteosarcoma cells, a type of bone cancer cell. The results showed the formation of apoptotic bodies and ruptured cell morphology, indicating the complex's potential to target and kill cancerous cells. Moreover, the PCL-coated scaffolds loaded with the G-Zn+2 complex exhibited a 1.2 ± 0.1-fold increase in osteoblast cell viability and an 11.6 ± 0.5% increase in alkaline phosphatase activity compared to untreated scaffolds. These findings suggest that the complex not only promotes healthy bone cell proliferation but also enhances bone-forming activity. In addition to promoting bone regeneration, the G-Zn+2 complex also demonstrated significant antibacterial properties. The treated scaffolds showed reduced bacterial colonization against Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of bone infections. This dual functionality of promoting bone growth while preventing infections makes the G-Zn+2 complex particularly valuable in clinical applications. The use of additive manufacturing (AM) to create patient-specific scaffolds further enhances the potential of this approach. AM allows for the precise fabrication of scaffolds tailored to individual patients' needs, improving the fit and effectiveness of the implants[4]. By combining AM with advanced biomaterials like the G-Zn+2 complex-loaded CaP scaffold, researchers are paving the way for more personalized and effective treatments for bone disorders. In summary, the study from Washington State University highlights the potential of integrating natural medicines with advanced biomaterials to enhance bone regeneration and prevent infections. The G-Zn+2 complex-loaded 3DP CaP scaffold offers a promising solution for treating bone disorders, demonstrating significant improvements in bone cell viability, bone formation activity, and antibacterial properties. This innovative approach could lead to more effective and personalized treatments, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

MedicineBiotechBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Gingerol-zinc complex loaded 3D-printed calcium phosphate for controlled release application.

Published 23rd August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-024-01677-9

Related Studies

2) The Osteoinductivity of Calcium Phosphate-Based Biomaterials: A Tight Interaction With Bone Healing.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.911180

3) Calcium phosphate ceramic systems in growth factor and drug delivery for bone tissue engineering: a review.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2011.11.017

4) Additive manufacturing of biomaterials.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2017.08.003


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