Bone Regeneration in Rat Using a PCL/gelatin/Nanoclay Nanocomposite Scaffold Containing Silybin

Abstract Bone cells need solid structures like the extracellular matrix (ECM) for healing injured areas. Finding appropriate materials and fabrication processes for the scaffold is a challenge in tissue engineering. In this study, 3-D porous scaffold was made of Polycaprolactone/Gelatin/Nanoclay (PCL/GNF/NC) and different dosages of silybin (Sil) were loaded by a combination of electrospinning and thermal-induced phase separation (TIPS) techniques. Different experiments like assessing surface morphology, porosity, compressive strength, water contact angle, degradation rate, releasing profile, hemolysis, and cell proliferation were done to assess attributes of fabricated scaffolds. For in vivo evaluation, the calvaria defect model in rats was used and the result was evaluated by histological analysis. Based on the results, the porosity of scaffolds was in the range of 70-90%, and samples containing silybin had lower compress strength and contact angle and higher degradation rate in comparison with samples without silybin. The results showed that PCL/GNF/NC/Sil1% had better cell proliferation bone healing than other studied groups. The results of this study can be considered for further researches to assess the effect of silybin in bone defect treatment.