The Synergistic Effect of Polysaccharides and Silane Coupling Agents on the Properties of Calcium Phosphate-Based Bone Substitutes

In this study, novel hybrid cementitious materials composed of calcium phosphates and polysaccharides were obtained and developed. Moreover, the impact of two distinct silane coupling agents-tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS)-on the physicochemical and biological properties of the resulting materials was systematically analyzed. Comprehensive assessments were conducted to evaluate the chemical and phase compositions (using XRF, XRD, FTIR), setting behavior, mechanical strength, microstructure (SEM), porosity, in vitro chemical stability, and biological performance of bone cements. Notably, the synergistic effect of polysaccharides and silane coupling agents significantly enhanced the compressive strength of the cements, increasing it to 19.34 MPa. Additionally, the integration of citrus pectin into the liquid phase, along with the inclusion of hybrid hydroxyapatite-chitosan granules, not only enabled the formation of materials with high surgical handiness but also improved the materials' physicochemical characteristics. The findings from this study emphasize the beneficial role of silane coupling agents in improving the properties of calcium phosphate-based bone substitutes. The developed materials demonstrate substantial potential for use in bone tissue engineering according to ISO 10993. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to confirm their safety and effectiveness.