Fabrication of sustainable 3D Scaffolds from plant based polysaccharides for tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) biomaterials are commonly used as scaffolding material , where they provide a critical framework to enable 3D cell growth and neo tissue formation in numerous Tissue Engineering (TE) applications. In recent times, new advancements in organ decellularization have offered the possibility to design biomimetic scaffolds with extracellular matrix (ECM) ligands that can mimic the in vivo cellular milieu. New investigations in plant systems have devised bio-inspirational approaches in using plant tissues for TE applications. Contemporary investigations have shown that cellulose-based scaffolds obtained after decellularization of numerous plant tissues have essential characteristics that can support mammalian cellular adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. The rationale is that plant systems are easily accessible, less exorbitant and can be easily processed with the required structural sophistication to serve as a scaffold. newlineIn this present research work, Borassus flabellifer (Linn.) (BF) immature endosperm was decellularized to produce three dimensional (3D) cellulose scaffolds, which can be used in mammalian 3D cell culture. In this regard, the chemical composition, nutritive profile and pharmacological activities of BF endosperm were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the BF tissue represented a complex concoction of polysaccharides with intrinsic phytoingredients which provide excellent pharmacological properties. Furthermore, Cellulosic Scaffolds (CS) obtained from BF were treated with chitosan to produce cellulose-chitosan (CS/CHI) hybrid scaffolds. The comparative investigation on both scaffolds exhibited adequate swelling with controlled porosity and pore-size distribution. The physiochemical characterization showed reduced biodegradation, improved thermal stability and enhanced compressive strength in the CS/CHI group. Biological studies reported favourable adhesion and proliferation of fibroblasts with an evident cellular penetration and colonization on both scaffolds.