Unveiling the role of Copper in 45S10P bioactive glass–ceramic spherical nanoparticles for accelerated bone regeneration

• Spherical Cu-45S10P bioactive glass ceramic nano particles fabricated by the Sol-gel route. • Hydroxyapatite layer formation increased with the Cu 2+ ion concentration. • Cu-doped glass ceramics exhibited hemolysis below 5%, indicating good hemocompatibility according to ISO standards. • Migration assay revealed the improved stimulation of Mg-63 cells with the particles. • Antimicrobial activity against E. coli was more pronounced than S. aureus. The development of multifunctional biomaterials is crucial for advancing bone tissue engineering and improving therapeutic outcomes. This study focused on synthesizing of copper-doped 45S10P Bioactive glass-ceramic nanoparticles (Cu-45S10P BGC-NPs) using a Stöber sol-gel method, incorporating varying copper ion (Cu²⁺) concentrations (2, 4, and 6 mol%) into the 45S10P bioglass matrix. The impact of these doping levels on structural, textural, biological, and antibacterial properties was systematically evaluated to determine their suitability for tissue engineering, particularly bone. The results demonstrated that the synthesized Cu-BGC-NPs were agglomeration-free, with a uniform spherical shape and size (150–240 nm), and exhibited improved surface area, pore volume, and pore size factors that enhanced bioactivity and ion exchange. XRD, FTIR, and FE-SEM analyses confirmed the increased formation of an apatite layer after incubation in SBF, which intensified with higher copper content. Copper incorporation also contributed to a controlled degradation rate and a rise in pH, significantly promoting bone regeneration. The shift in zeta potential values with Cu²⁺ ion inclusion further supported enhanced bioactivity and cell attachment. Cell culture studies and hemolysis assays confirmed the cytocompatibility of Cu-BGC-NPs, demonstrating the feasibility and cell proliferation of MG-63 cells and red blood cells. Additionally, the nanoparticles also showed increased antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli due to Cu²⁺ ions interfering with bacterial cell walls, causing cell death. Overall, these findings underscore the promise of copper-doped 45S10P BGC-NPs as multifunctional biomaterials for bone tissue engineering, providing both antibacterial protection and enhanced regenerative properties.