Multifunctional Ceramic-Polymer Biomaterials as Carriers of Active Substances for Medical Applications

Karina Piętak
Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, Krakow 31-155, Poland

Abstract

Biomaterials are an innovative solution in regenerative medicine. Depending on the application, different groups of biomaterials are chosen and can include polymeric, metallic, ceramic and also composite biomaterials. The latter branch is growing quite rapidly due to the demand for such materials in orthopaedics as well as dentistry. Biomaterials obtained in this way have the potential to be modified with various active substances including drugs, polysaccharides, proteins or different plant extracts. A number of plant extracts have a high content of terpenes, polyphenols and flavonoids, which show potential anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to obtain a polymer matrix composite biomaterial with a ceramic phase as carrier for the active substance by photocrosslinking under a UV lamp. In addition, the biomaterial was modified by the addition of a polysaccharide and a selected active substance. The samples were subjected to incubation tests in fluids simulating the internal environment of the organism. In addition, the kinetics of the release of active substances was studied. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the presence of the ceramic phase in the composite influences the amount of active substance released. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The “Multifunctional biologically active composites for applications in bone regenerative medicine” project is carried out within the TEAM-NET program of the Foundation for Polish Science financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund. The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support. POIR.04.04.00-00-16D7/18.

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