Cellulose-based bioactive material and turmeric-impregnated flexible and biocompatible scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications†

Metal transplants, autografts, and allografts are currently used for the treatment of bone-related problems, but each comes with inherent limitations. However, advances in science and technology have underscored the need for the development of cost-effective, eco-friendly, and customized architectural scaffolds with desirable porosity and mechanical strength. Additionally, the synthesis of sustainable scaffolds using biowaste is being studied to decrease environmental pollution. Green fabrication of scaffolds has an inestimable influence on decreasing production costs and toxicity while increasing biological compatibility. With this motivation, in the present study, a 70S30C calcium silicate bioactive material (BM) was synthesized through a simple precipitation method, using recycled rice husk (as a silica source) and eggshells (as a calcium source). Further, the BM and turmeric powder (Tm) were impregnated onto cellulose-based cotton fabric (CF), considering its easy availability, flexibility, mechanical strength, and cost-effective nature. The prepared scaffolds were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, and EDS mapping. Further, in vitro bioactivity and degradation studies were performed in simulated body fluid (SBF). The in vitro haemolysis study revealed less than 5% haemolysis. Ex ovo CAM results showed good neovascularization. Both in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility studies demonstrated non-toxic nature. Furthermore, in vivo osteogenesis results showed bone regeneration capacity, as confirmed by X-ray and histological analysis. Thus, the CF template impregnated with BM and Tm acts as a porous, flexible, bioactive, degradable, haemocompatible, osteogenic, antibacterial, cost-effective, and eco-friendly scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications.