Fabrication of fibrous poly (ɛ-caprolactone) nano-fibers containing cerium doped-bioglasses nanoparticles encapsulated collagen

Novel nanosized designed ceramic powders, cerium (Ce) doped bioglass (BG) with various doped Ce content, were synthesized by sol–gel method in order to be employed in the development of PCL fibrous scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications. Characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were employed to evaluate the developed Ce doped BG powders. The results confirmed successful doping of Ce inside BG structure. 0, 1, 3, and 10 wt% Ce doped 58S BG were successfully encapsulated in the collagen microspheres by water-in-oil emulsion method and the average particle size and hydrodynamic diameter of microspheres were determined using scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis, respectively. Next, 0, 1, 3, and 10 wt% Ce doped 58S BG encapsulated collagen microspheres were loaded inside the Poly(ɛ-caprolactone) fibrous scaffold and their in vitro bioactivity and biocompatibility properties were evaluated. The results of soaking samples in the simulated body fluid showed that all Ce doped 58S BG encapsulated collagen microspheres loaded PCL fibrous scaffold have acceptable bioactivity and apatite formation ability over time. The biocompatibility evaluation of developed scaffolds showed high viability and proliferation of MG63 cells cultured on the surface of 3% Ce doped 58S BG encapsulated collagen microsphere loaded in the PCL fibrous scaffold and its high potential ability for bone tissue engineering applications. These results potentially open new aspects for scaffolds aimed at the regeneration of bone defects.