Cranberry-coated mesoporous bioactive glass for bone tissue regeneration: Biofilm and osteogenic analysis in vitro.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to synthesize Cranberry-coated Mesoporous Bioactive Glass 58S (MBG-58S/CB) and evaluate its effects on biofilm formation and early osteogenic activity in vitro.

DESIGN

MBG-58S scaffolds were synthesized using the sol-gel method and coated with Cranberry extract (MBG-58S/CB). Because nanoscale mesoporosity was not independently verified by BET/BJH analysis, the mesoporous classification reflects the surfactant-templated synthesis method rather than confirmed pore architecture. Scaffolds underwent physicochemical characterization using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Cranberry release was evaluated over 35 days. Biofilm formation (mono- and multi-species) was tested for MBG-58S, MBG-58S/CB, Nanosynt®, and Bio-Oss®. Cytocompatibility and osteogenic activity-assessed via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and matrix mineralization-were evaluated using stem cells from human-exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) across MBG-58S, MBG-58S/CB, and Bio-Oss® groups.

RESULTS

MBG-58S/CB showed a porous structure with Cranberry release over 35 days (cumulative release 3.43%); because this value was calculated from nominal loading rather than destructive quantification of the retained fraction, the true Cranberry content within the scaffold remains unconfirmed. MBG-58S/CB exhibited the lowest bacterial burden in 8-day multi-species biofilms, whereas 24-h Streptococcus oralis biofilm formation showed no significant differences among MBG-58S, MBG-58S/CB, and Nanosynt®. MBG-58S/CB demonstrated favorable 7-day cytocompatibility and higher ALP activity than Bio-Oss®. Conversely, Bio-Oss® promoted the highest 15-day mineralization, while MBG-58S and MBG-58S/CB showed limited mineralization.

CONCLUSIONS

MBG-58S/CB reduced multi-species biofilms and increased ALP activity, indicating early osteogenesis without enhanced late mineralization. Cranberry-coated MBG-58S shows potential as a multifunctional biomaterial, though further studies are needed to optimize loading and assess late-stage bone regeneration.