The effect of borate bioactive glass on the printability of methylcellulose-manuka honey hydrogels

Abstract

3D printing offers the possibility to generate complex and individualized constructs (scaffolds) for applications in tissue engineering. This is viable by using suitable inks based on advanced biomaterials. Methylcellulose (MC), a highly biocompatible biomaterial, can be combined with manuka honey (H) to fabricate a thermo-sensitive hydrogel. Besides providing favorable biological effects, H can also be used as a natural cross-linking agent. Furthermore, the addition of bioactive glass (BG) to the ink could improve its mechanical and bioactive properties. In this study, a composite based on MC as matrix incorporating H and particulate borate BG as filler, was investigated as ink for 3D printing. Besides the improvement of the inks’ printability owing to the addition of BG, the printed scaffolds exhibited suitable swelling behavior and mechanical properties. Moreover, cell biology tests demonstrated the potential of the composite for biofabrication and applications in tissue engineering, which should be further explored. Graphic abstract

Borate Bioactive Glasses (BBG): Bone Regeneration, Wound Healing Applications, and Future Directions

“… 66 , 67 BBG/methyl cellulose/manuka honey hydrogels were also 3D printed for wound healing applications. 67 For nerve regeneration applications, BBG powders were mixed in a PCL solution which was electrospun into aligned fibers. 68 The main types of production methods for preparation of BBG/polymeric scaffolds are summarized in Figure 3 .…”

“…Similarly, in another study BBG scaffolds were coated with tungsten disulfide/PLGA/PCL by the dip coating method . For wound healing applications, BBG/PVA hydrogels have been prepared by blending in solutions. , BBG/methyl cellulose/manuka honey hydrogels were also 3D printed for wound healing applications . For nerve regeneration applications, BBG powders were mixed in a PCL solution which was electrospun into aligned fibers .…”

“…In vitro studies with human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) showed the biocompatibility of the 3D printed scaffolds for wound healing. 67 Overall, incorporation of BBGs in polymers is observed to slow down boron ion release rate, prevent toxicity, and also improve mechanical properties. It is however remarkable that BBG containing inks for 3D bioprinting have not been extensively investigated to date.…”

“…Incorporation of BBG in the system improved printability of the scaffolds. In vitro studies with human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) showed the biocompatibility of the 3D printed scaffolds for wound healing . Overall, incorporation of BBGs in polymers is observed to slow down boron ion release rate, prevent toxicity, and also improve mechanical properties.…”

3D Printing Assisted Fabrication of Copper–Silver Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles Reinforced Sodium Alginate/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Based Composite Scaffolds: Designed for Skin Tissue Engineering

“…Both materials exhibited dermal reconstruction potential; however, borate BG (13−93B3) demonstrated an accelerated healing rate as compared to phosphate BG (45S5). Schuhladen et al 21 developed an ink based on methylcellulose-manuka honey incorporated with borate BG (56.6B 2 O 3 , 5.5Na 2 O, 11.1K 2 O, 4.6MgO, 18.5CaO, and 3.7P 2 O 5 ) for 3D printing applications. All of these BGs were mostly prepared via the melt-quenching technique.…”