Zein Membrane Barrier for Bone Guided Regeneration

Materials from natural sources have been studied to replace the conventional synthetic or animal-derived products as a safer alternative to be used in the healthcare field. In dentistry, guided bone regeneration (GBR) relies on barrier membranes, predominantly from animals or synthetic materials, to improve osteogenesis by avoiding undesired soft tissue cells from defect sites. In this study, membranes were prepared from zein, a corn-derived protein, using a simple extraction and casting method, followed by optional formaldehyde cross-linking to evaluate their behavior for application in GBR. The membranes were characterised by FTIR, DSC, TGA, tensile strength analysis, and in vitro biological assays. Cross-linked membranes exhibited improved mechanical strength (~5 MPa) and slower degradation (~43% mass loss over 30 days), while non-cross-linked membranes disintegrated more rapidly. Cytotoxicity assays using GM07492 fibroblasts confirmed biocompatibility, and cell migration studies demonstrated effective barrier function. These results indicated that zein membranes, particularly in their cross-linked form, combine biodegradability, mechanical integrity, and cellular safety, suggesting significant potential as sustainable GBR materials. This work introduces, for the first time, zein membranes prepared from corn crude extract for GBR in dentistry, paving the way for eco-friendly alternatives to animal-derived products.