Study of Materials for Thermo-Responsive Injectable Hydrogels Aimed at Enhancing Bone Tissue Engineering and Reducing Surgical Interventions

Abstract

In tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, minimizing the frequency of surgical interventions is a key goal, leading to advancements in scaffold implants and drug release mechanisms. This study presents the synthesis of thermal-responsive injectable hydrogels using sodium alginate and varying concentrations of rosemary essential oil-infused bioglass, with the essential oil integrated into the bioglass structure through surface absorption. The optimal hydrogel formulation was achieved by incorporating different percentages of N-isopropylamide polymer alongside three distinct bioglass concentrations. Morphological analysis was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), while Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) assessed chemical bonds and structural properties. The hydrogels were evaluated forporosity, swelling behavior, mechanical strength, degradation, biocompatibility, and the release profile of rosemary essential oil. SEM revealed alterations in bioglass particle surfaces post-oil absorption, and the hydrogels demonstrated uniform porosity after thermal activation at 37 degrees C. Statistical analyses indicated that bioglass had minimal impact on porosity, swelling, and degradation rates, while increased active energy consumption correlated with higher compressive modulus. Biocompatibility assessments showed high cell viability across all formulations compared to the control group. The release of rosemary essential oil was consistent over 48 hours, with enhanced release rates at greater bioglass concentrations. The synthesized hydrogel exhibits promising structural and biological properties, positioning it as a potential candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.