Osteogenic potential of silver nanoparticles in critical sized mandibular bone defects: an experimental study in white albino rats

Natural bone is a self-regenerating nanocomposite made of proteins and minerals. Such self-regenerative capacity can be negatively affected by certain diseases involving the bone or its surrounding tissues. Our study assesses the ability of bone grafting material to regenerate bone in animals who have artificially created critical-sized defects. Nanohydroxyapatite (HANPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized and underwent characterization by transmission electron microscopy. The cytotoxic effect of the nanomaterials was evaluated by MTT assay using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). Five mm critical size defects in white albino rats were utilized to assess the material's biocompatibility, and regenerative capacity. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses using collagen-I and tumor necrotic factor-alpha were also performed. Clinically, the tested materials did not cause any pathological changes. MTT results suggested that both materials showed high biocompatibility. Gel form of AgNPs achieved bone regenerative potential and anti-inflammatory effect being significantly higher than what was seen in HANPs after 21 days post-surgically. The utilization of AgNPs to improve anti-inflammatory and osteoregenerative activities was the primary research outcome of this study. AgNPs have the potential to be useful biomaterial in accelerating bone healing process.