Development of therapeutic ions loaded oxidized guar gum and sodium alginate-based 3D printed biomimetic scaffolds investigated in-vitro and in-vivo for burn wound repair.

A novel, potentially effective, and precise 3D-printed scaffold was fabricated for presumable burn injuries. A natural polysaccharide guar gum (GG) was chemically modified (oxidized) to guar gum dialdehyde (OGG) to enhance its reactivity towards the sodium alginate (ALG). The copper and silver doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (Cu-Ag MBGNs) was loaded to OGG/ALG ink (before 3D printing) to build a biologically active scaffold holding therapeutic potential. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the microporous interlinked network (also validated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and uniform distribution of Cu-Ag MBGNs. Cu-Ag MBGNs promoted human dermal fibroblast (HDFa) growth, and release of proteins involved in skin rejuvenation, as portrayed in WST-8 assay, and biomarker studies. The OGG/ALG/Cu-Ag MBGNs scaffold significantly enhanced the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from co-cultured primary HDFa cells to 284 ± 16 ng/mL in comparison to 203 ± 15 ng/mL release from bare HDFa cells. The significant bactercidial potency was seen against E. coli and S. aureus quantified via viable colony forming units ability of bacterium from both strains co-cultured with developed OGG/ALG/Cu-Ag MBGNs scaffold. The in-vivo studies confirmed that the fabricated scaffold promoted the re-epithelialization process and minimized the risk of inflammation, as validated by histological analysis and the release of inflammatory cytokines. Conclusively, the study features OGG/ALG/Cu-Ag MBGNs scaffold as a potential next-generation post-burn treatment.