Abstract
The increasing interest in innovative solutions for addressing bone defects has driven research into the use of Bioactive Mesoporous Glasses (MBGs). These materials, distinguished by their well-ordered mesoporous structure, possess the capability to accommodate plant extracts with well-established osteogenic properties, including bovine lactoferrin (bLF), as part of their 3D scaffold composition. This harmonizes seamlessly with the ongoing advancements in the field of biomedicine. In this study, we fabricated 3D scaffolds utilizing MBGs loaded with extracts from parsley leaves (PL) and embryogenic cultures (EC), rich in bioactive compounds such as apigenin and kaempferol, which hold potential benefits for bone metabolism. Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMa) served as the polymer, and bLF was included in the formulation. Cytocompatibility, Runx2 gene expression, ALP enzyme activity, and biomineralization were assessed in preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell cultures. MBGs effectively integrated PL and EC extracts with loadings between 22.6 ± 0.1 and 43.6 ± 0.3 µM for PL and 26.3 ± 0.3 and 46.8 ± 0.4 µM for EC, ensuring cell viability through a release percentage between 28.3% and 59.9%. The incorporation of bLF in the 3D scaffold formulation showed significant differences compared to the control in all assays, even at concentrations below 0.2 µM. Combinations, especially PL + bLF at 0.19 µM, demonstrated additive potential, with superior biomineralization compared to EC. In summary, this study highlights the effectiveness of MBGs in incorporating PL and EC extracts, along with bLF, into 3D scaffolds. The results underscore cytocompatibility, osteogenic activity, and biomineralization, offering exciting potential for future in vivo applications.