Electrospun PCL/gelatin film loaded with Ma Dai tea extract: a periodontal regeneration material with both anti-inflammatory and mineralization potential

Research background and material design

The treatment of pulp periodontal combined lesions often faces the challenge of bone defect repair, and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is an important clinical strategy. Ilex paraguariensis extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and previous studies have shown that it can reduce osteoclastogenesis and inflammation related bone loss. Based on this, researchers introduced Ma Dai tea extract into the polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin (Gel) system, prepared fiber scaffolds using electrospinning technology, and chemically crosslinked them to construct medical polymer membrane materials that can support mineralization tissue formation and regulate inflammation.

Material properties and in vitro biological evaluation

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterization show that electrospinning can form bead free fibers regardless of the addition of Ma Dai tea extract.

; After crosslinking, the addition of Ma Dai tea extract increased the fiber diameter (p<0.0001). Mechanical tests showed that there was no significant change in Young's modulus and elongation at break, but the addition of Ma Dai tea extract reduced the tensile strength (p=0.0107). The swelling and degradation properties were also systematically evaluated. In terms of biology, studies have used periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) to evaluate cellular metabolic activity, adhesion spreading, and mineralization matrix deposition. The results showed that the scaffold containing Ma Dai tea extract had no cytotoxicity and did not affect the mineralization process. In the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - stimulated macrophage (RAW 264.7) model, scaffold extract significantly reduced IL-6 and TNF - α levels, while IL-1 α was not affected, suggesting its selective anti-inflammatory regulatory effect.

In vivo biocompatibility and anti-inflammatory effects

In the rat subcutaneous implantation experiment, biocompatibility and collagen deposition were evaluated at 7 and 28 days, respectively.

. The scaffold loaded with Ma Dai tea extract significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration at both time points, while not altering collagen deposition. This result further supports the good tissue compatibility and anti-inflammatory potential of the medical polymer membrane in vivo.

Significance for the Polymer Additive Industry

This study demonstrates the feasibility of combining natural active ingredients with biodegradable medical polymers (PCL/gelatin) through electrospinning to prepare functional medical materials.

. For the field of polymer additives, Ma Dai tea extract plays a role similar to functional additives in this system – endowing the material with anti-inflammatory biological activity without significantly sacrificing the mechanical skeleton. It is worth noting that medical polymer materials face the risk of oxidative degradation during processing, sterilization, and storage. Antioxidants and weather resistant stability systems are important links to ensure their performance stability. Although this study did not directly involve antioxidants or weather stabilizers, its performance evaluation system for PCL/gelatin fiber membranes (including morphology, mechanics, and degradation behavior after crosslinking) provides a reference for the selection and compatibility evaluation of additives in medical polymer formulation design. In the future, how to maintain stability during processing and use through antioxidants and other additives while introducing bioactive ingredients will be an important issue in the engineering of medical polymer materials.

Information source:Anti‐Inflammatory Yerba Mate‐Loaded Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Membranes for the Management of Endodontic‐Periodontal Lesions， Organized by Herun Chemical.