Sodium alginate cross-linked hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/hydroxyapatite nano biomaterial mediated with zinc to promote bone tissue healing

Abstract The present study aimed to develop a composite material using sodium alginate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in combination with hydroxyapatite. The composite was doped with zinc and developed into a nanocomposite by using ionic gelation and solvent precipitation methods. The prepared nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, FTIR, and XRD studies. In vivo pharmacological studies were carried out to establish the bone targeting and bone tissue regeneration efficacy of the developed nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was checked for cell toxicity by performing an MTT assay using MG63 cell line and the molecular mechanism of targeting efficiency was assessed by in silico evaluation method. The results of the study confirmed the polymeric interlinking in the nanocomposite and the successful preparation of a composite material by using biodegradable excipients. SEM and AFM studies indicated that the nanocomposite was within the 80-200 nm size range. MTT assay indicated that the developed nanocomposite was not cytotoxic and well tolerated by the MG63 cell line. In vivo studies in validation with molecular docking evaluation suggested that the nanocomposite was effectively targeted to the bone as well as had osteogenesis properties by following a mechanism whereby it could effectively block Farnesyl Diphosphate Synthetase in the mevalonate pathway which is essential for inhibiting the osteoclastic activity and promoting osteogenesis.