Nanomaterials in Tissue Engineering for Sustainable Healthcare Solutions

Abstract

Nanomaterials have become viable contenders in the field of tissue engineering, providing adaptable frameworks for long-lasting healthcare solutions. This work included the characterization of many types of nanoparticles, such as gold, silver, iron oxide, and quantum dots. The aim was to identify and understand their specific physicochemical features that are crucial for their use in tissue engineering. The gold nanoparticles had a diameter of 20 nm, a surface area of 30 m^2/g, and a positive zeta potential of +20 mV. In contrast, the silver nanoparticles had a smaller diameter of 15 nm, a surface area of 25 m^2/g, and a negative zeta potential of -15 mV. Iron oxide nanoparticles displayed a greater size of 30 nm, a higher surface area of 40 m^2/g, and a zeta potential of +10 mV. In contrast, quantum dots had the lowest size of 10 nm and a zeta potential of +30 mV. In addition, the characteristics of the scaffold, such as the size of its pores, its porosity, and its mechanical strength, were assessed. These features were shown to have a vital role in controlling how cells behave and in promoting tissue regeneration. The Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds had a pore size of 100 µm, a porosity of 80%, and a mechanical strength of 20 MPa. In contrast, the collagen scaffolds had a smaller pore size of 50 µm, a greater porosity of 90%, and a lower mechanical strength of 15 MPa. The gelatin scaffolds had a pore size of 75 µm, a porosity of 85%, and a mechanical strength of 18 MPa. On the other hand, the chitosan scaffolds had a larger pore size of 120 µm, a porosity of 75%, and a higher mechanical strength of 25 MPa. Moreover, the assessment of cell survival and proliferation on scaffolds containing nanomaterials revealed their considerable influence on cellular behavior. Notably, gold nanoparticles exhibited the greatest cell viability rate of 95% and a substantial rise in cell proliferation. Finally, the drug release patterns from drug delivery systems based on nanomaterials demonstrated regulated and prolonged release kinetics, emphasizing its potential in improving therapeutic results. In summary, this work clarifies the many uses of nanomaterials in tissue engineering and emphasizes their importance in creating sustainable healthcare solutions.