Bioactive phosphate cross-linked guar gum-based hydrogels with enhanced mineralization ability for application in bone tissue engineering

Bioactive hydrogels have gained widespread recognition in bone tissue engineering due to their versatile physicochemical and biological attributes aligning with the requisite bone regeneration parameters. In this study, we explored a calcium-free phosphate approach to enhance the formation of bone-like apatite within phosphate cross-linked guar gum (GG)-based hydrogels (P-GG). P-GG hydrogels were developed using free radical polymerization of acrylamide (AM) monomer and bis[2-methacryloyloxy] ethyl phosphate (BMEP) as a cross-linker. The structure integrity and interactions of P-GG hydrogels were substantiated through fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The GG content significantly impacted the hydrogels porosity, pore size, and mechanical properties. The hydrogels displayed a porous structure with a fibrous topology similar to a ladder, allowing for better cell growth and adhesion. The phosphate functionality embedded within the hydrogel facilitated rapid biomineralization when exposed to simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions. This biomineralization of P-GG hydrogels in SBF solutions was validated through a combination of analytical techniques, including FTIR, XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Together, the remarkable physical, chemical, and biological characteristics demonstrated by P-GG hydrogels emphasize their significant promise for use in the field of bone tissue engineering.