Enhanced osteogenicity of adipose tissue-derived stem cells induced by phytochemically synthesized Fe3O4/Lanthanum/SiO2 nanocomposite using ulmus minor Mll. extract

In this study, nanofibrous scaffolds composed of Polycaprolactone/Collagen (PCL/COL) infused with Fe₃O₄/Lanthanum/SiO₂ nanocomposite were developed. Fe₃O₄ and La-doped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized using a straightforward co-precipitation method. Silica extracted from Ulmus leaves via green synthesis was used to coat the Fe₃O₄-La nanocomposite. Then, PCL/COL nanocomposite scaffolds entrapping nanocomposites were created by electrospinning and characterized through FT-IR, VSM, EDX, DLS, TEM, FE-SEM, XRD, tensile strength, and contact angle techniques. The study comprehensively assessed their impacts on physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological attributes to evaluate their suitability for bone regeneration applications. The results revealed that the Fe₃O₄-La and Fe₃O₄-La@SiO₂ magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized at the nanoscale (64.3 and 83.6 nm), exhibiting superparamagnetic properties and a spherical morphology. The addition of MNPs enhanced the hydrophilicity and mechanical characteristics of the PCL/COL nanofibers. ADSCs were cultured onto nanocomposite scaffolds and the ALP activity, calcium mineralization, and the expression of bone-related proteins (such as Runx2, OCN, ON, and BMP2) were significantly increased in cells cultured on PCL/COL-MNPs nanofibers compared to PCL/COL scaffold and control groups. Nanocomposite scaffolds significantly enhanced cell viability (Day 5, p value < 0.0001), ALP elevation (p value < 0.0001), calcium deposition (Days 14 & 21) versus control, demonstrating high osteoinductivity (p value < 0.0001). PCL/COL/Fe₃O₄-La@SiO₂ showed the most intense mineralization at 21 days (22-fold). Fe₃O₄-La@SiO₂ synergizes all osteogenic phases (BMP2/Runx2/Osteocalcin), positioning it as the optimal bone-regeneration scaffold. These results endorse the incorporation of natural extracellular matrix (ECM) materials with magnetic particles to create composite scaffolds, thereby maximizing their therapeutic efficacy in bone tissue engineering applications.