|
Abstract
|
Polyphenol extracts derived from plants are expected to have enhanced osteoblast proliferation and differentiation
ability, which has gained much attention in tissue engineering applications. Herein, for the first time, we
investigate the effects of Prunus amygdalus amara (bitter almond) (BA) extract loaded on poly (ε-caprolactone)
(PCL)/gelatin (Gt) nanofibrous scaffolds on the osteoblast differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells
(DPSCs). In this regard, BA (0, 5, 10, and 15% wt)-loaded PCL/Gt nanofibrous scaffolds were prepared by
electrospinning with fiber diameters in the range of around 237–276 nm. Morphology, composition, porosity,
hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were examined by FESEM, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy,
BET, contact angle, and tensile tests, respectively. It was found that the addition of BA improved the tensile
strength (up to 6.1 times), Young’s modulus (up to 3 times), and strain at break (up to 3.2 times) compared to the
neat PCL/Gt nanofibers. Evaluations of cell attachment, spreading, and proliferation were done by FESEM
observation and MTT assay. Cytocompatibility studies support the biocompatible nature of BA loaded PCL/Gt
scaffolds and free BA by demonstrating cell viability of more than 100% in all groups. The results of alkaline
phosphatase activity and Alizarin Red assay revealed that osteogenic activity levels of BA loaded PCL/Gt scaffolds
and free BA were significantly increased compared to the control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001).
QRT-PCR results demonstrated that BA loaded PCL/Gt scaffolds and free BA led to a significant increase in
osteoblast differentiation of DPSCs through the upregulation of osteogenic related genes compared to the control
group (p < 0.05). Based on results, incorporation of BA extract in PCL/Gt scaffolds exhibited synergistic effects
on the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenesis differentiation of hDPSCs and was therefore assumed to be a
favorable scaffold for bone tissue
|