Multi-layered polycaprolactone–alginate–fucoidan biocomposites supplemented with controlled release of fucoidan for bone tissue regeneration: fabrication, physical properties, and cellular activities

Abstract

Fucoidan extracted from brown algae appears to be very promising in tissue regeneration as it induces various positive cellular effects, including collagen matrix formation for bone tissue regeneration. Here, we prepared rapid-prototyped biocomposites consisting of micro-sized poly(ε-caprolactone) struts with a coating agent containing a mixture of alginate and fucoidan. To control the fucoidan release, various weight fractions of alginate were accommodated as a controlled release material. Continuously released fucoidan was assumed to be able to enhance biological activities of the biocomposites without a decrease in mechanical properties. To test this assertion, various physical and biological properties of the biocomposites were evaluated. Measurement of chemical compositions for coated layers through Fourier transform infrared analysis, water-wetting in the biocomposites, and tensile modulus in the dry and wet state were performed. To test the ability of the biocomposites in terms of biological activities, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition were measured. Results showed that the biocomposites supplemented with controlled-release fucoidan can provide a more active biological stimulator for regenerating bone tissue compared to the composites without fucoidan release or with a high initial burst-release fucoidan.