Synergistic Enhancement of Mechanical Strength and Antibacterial Activity in 3D Core–Shell Bone Scaffolds Incorporating Phosphate-Modified Pomegranate Peel Powder Within Polylactic Acid/Poly (Glycerol-Succinic Acid) Composite

Abstract

Despite the imposing regenerative abilities of bone tissue, accomplishing rapid and successful bone regeneration remains challenging due to the complex back-and-forth of factors influencing the healing process. In bone tissue engineering, the mechanical strength and biocompatibility of 3D polymeric scaffolds, which the former is more challenging for bone tissue, are yet to be an unsolved problem. Herein, 3D cylindrical core–shell scaffolds were fabricated by dual-leaching technique using poly (Glycerol-Succinic Acid) (PGSU) as the sell, in combination with phosphate-modified pomegranate peels powder, and poly lactic acid (PLA). The main objective of developing such scaffolds is not only to improve compressive strength but also to enhance cell viability and antibacterial activity. Overall results confirmed that the developed core–shell scaffold, containing phosphate-modified pomegranate peel powder, on one hand, had an appropriate compressive strength due to the presence of PLA in its core; on the other hand, showed acceptable antibacterial activity for using pomegranate powder. Also, it demonstrated that the surface modification was successfully done. By incorporating phosphate-modified pomegranate peel powder into the core–shell scaffold, compressive strength of almost 6000 Pa was achieved, with a porosity of 90% alongside cell viability of almost 100%, as indicated by the MTT assay. The main reason for the appropriate biological response of the developed scaffold relevant to the biomolecule compounds presented in pomegranate powder, including tannins, phytochemicals, flavonoids, and antioxidants, as well as the presence of phosphate ions. Therefore, as the final perspective, the synergistic effects resulting from the combination of the scaffold's structural properties and the antibacterial properties of phosphate-modified pomegranate powder contribute to its overall effectiveness.