Design, Synthesis, an‎d Characterization of a Novel Nanobiocomposite Based on Carrageenan–Gelatin Hydrogel Incorporated with Silk Fibroin Protein, Fluorapatite Nanoparticles, an‎d Silver Nanoparticles Using Plant Extract, an‎d eva‎luation of Its Biological Properties an‎d Performance

9/20/2026 12:00:00 AM

Regenerative medicine, as one of the emerging branches of life sciences an‎d medicine, aims to restore, replace, an‎d improve the function of damaged tissues an‎d organs. Tissue engineering, as one of the most important strategies in this field, relies on the design of suitable biological scaffolds that can mimic the physiological conditions of the extracellular matrix an‎d provide a favorable environment for cell growth, proliferation, an‎d differentiation. In this context, natural polymers are of key importance due to their high biocompatibility, tunable mechanical properties, an‎d controlled biodegradability. In the present study, three natural polymers—gelatin, silk fibroin, an‎d carrageenan—were employed as the main components of the scaffold. Gelatin, by mimicking the extracellular matrix, provided a suitable surface for cell adhesion an‎d proliferation; silk fibroin contributed mechanical strength an‎d high biocompatibility; an‎d carrageenan, with its ability to form gels in the presence of cations an‎d its drug-loading capacity, played a crucial role in creating an efficient platform for regenerative applications. To further improve scaffold functionality, silver nanoparticles an‎d fluorapatite were incorporated. Silver nanoparticles not only imparted antimicrobial properties but also enhanced the mechanical strength an‎d durability of the scaffold, while fluorapatite, due to its structural an‎d compositional similarity to bone minerals, increased bioactivity, mineralization, an‎d tissue regeneration. The synergistic combination of these polymers an‎d nanoparticles resulted in the development of a multifunctional scaffold (Cross-linked Gel/Car/SF/Ag/FA) with potential applications in tissue regeneration, enhanced cellular bioactivity, an‎d controlled drug release.Drug loading an‎d release studies demonstrated that both types of scaffolds (containing silver nanoparticles synthesized with Tribulus terrestris an‎d Hypericum perforatum extracts) exhibited high capacity for doxorubicin loading, with significant loading percentages recorded at concentrations of 200, 400, an‎d 600 mg/L. Release studies showed that approximately 45–47% of the drug was released within the first 24 hours, followed by a gradual an‎d sustained release pattern, indicating long-term controlled delivery. Furthermore, particle size distribution analysis revealed that the average diameter of silver nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts ranged between 30–40 nm. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy images confirmed spherical an‎d rod-like morphologies of the nanoparticles, along with a three-dimensional porous structure with thin an‎d continuous walls in the nanocomposite scaffold. These characteristics provide favorable conditions for cell penetration, nutrient exchange, an‎d improved performance in tissue engineering an‎d drug delivery applications. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate that the integration of natural polymers with metallic an‎d mineral nanoparticles is an effective strategy for designing next-generation scaffolds. Such platforms not only facilitate tissue repair an‎d regeneration but also hold promise for the development of intelligent an‎d targeted drug delivery systems in the field of regenerative medicine.

داربست‌هاي زيستي , مهندسي بافت , كاراگينان , ژلاتين , سيلك فيبرويين , دارورساني , پليمرهاي طبيعي

Biomimetic scaffolds , tissue engineering , carrageenan , gelatin , silk fibroin , drug delivery , natural polymers

Elnaz pirialam

Mohammad-Reza naimi-jamal