Development Of Radix Dipsaci-Loaded Nanocomposite Hydrogels For Osteogenic Differentiation

This study targets alveolar bone defect repair in periodontitis and apical periodontitis by developing the Gelatin Methacryloyl Hydrogels (GelMA) + Silicate Nanoplatelets (SN) nanocomposite hydrogel loaded with Radix Dipsaci (RD), achieving synergistic optimization of drug release and mechanical properties for bone regeneration. The study utilized ethanol extraction for Radix Dipsaci preparation and LC-MS based phytochemical analysis. In normal/inflammatory microenvironments, the osteogenic differentiation regulatory effects of RD on MC3T3-E1 cells were evaluated through qPCR, Western blot, and ALP staining. The GelMA+SN+RD hydrogel was prepared and characterized for morphology, chemical bonding, and elemental composition by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) were established, and osteogenic effects on cells were analyzed to assess four compositions hydrogel extract groups impacts on osteogenic differentiation. RD upregulated ALP, Runx2, and OPN in cells (p < 0.05) and alleviated LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine suppression of osteogenesis. The hydrogel exhibited sustained drug release over 28 days, and a storage modulus 2.8-fold higher than that of pure GelMA. The hydrogel extract containing 0.1 mg/mL RD from the GelMA+SN+RD composite enhanced ALP activity and calcium nodule formation, with Runx2 expression elevated by 40% (p < 0.01). This study developes a nanocomposite hydrogel with drug release, mechanical support, and osteogenic induction functions. By combining RD with nanosilicates, the system demonstrates exceptional osteogenic induction capacity in inflammatory microenvironments, offering a solution for bone-defect repair in periodontitis and apical periodontitis.