The Effect of Electrospun Dihydroartemisinin-Loaded
Polycaprolactone/Collagen Scaffolds On Osteoblastic Differentiation of
Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
Abstract
In this study, Dihydroartemisinin (DHART)-loaded polycaprolactone
collagen nanofibers (PCL/Col NFs) were constructed as effective
biocompatible scaffolds through adjusting the proportions of
hydrophobic/ hydrophilic polymers for enhanced osteoblastic
differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). The
designed NFs were characterized through FTIR, XRD, TGA, FE-SEM, and
tensile testing. DHART-loaded PCL/Col electrospun NFs provide an ideal
solution, with the potential of sustained drug release as well as
inhibition of drug re-crystallization. Interestingly, inhibiting DHART
re-crystallization can improve its bioavailability, providing a more
effective therapeutic efficacy. Besides, the data set found through
FE-SEM, MTT, PicoGreen, qPCR, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assays
revealed the improved adhesion and proliferation rate of hADSCs cultured
on PCL/Col/DHART (5%) NFs after 14 and 21 days of incubation. These
findings confirmed the potential of the designed NF scaffolds for
sustained/controlled release of DHART therapeutic molecules toward bone
tissue regeneration and engineering.