Metallic nanoscaffolds as osteogenic promoters: Advances, challenges and scope

Abstract

Bone injuries and fractures are often associated with post-surgical failures, extended healing times, infection, a lack of return to a normal active lifestyle, and corrosion associated allergies. In this regard, this review presents a comprehensive report on advances in nanotechnology driven solutions for bone tissue engineering. The fabrication of metals such as copper, gold, platinum, pal-ladium, silver, strontium, titanium, zinc oxide, and magnetic nanoparticles with tunable physico-chemical and opto-electronic properties for osteogenic scaffolds is discussed here in detail. Further-more, the rational selection of a polymeric base such as chitosan, collagen, poly (L-lactide), hy-droxyl-propyl-methyl cellulose, poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid, polyglucose-sorbitol-carboxymethy ether, polycaprolactone, natural rubber latex, and silk fibroin for scaffold preparation is also dis-cussed. These advanced materials and fabrication strategies not only provide for appropriate mechanical strength but also render integrity, making them appealing for orthopedic applications. Fur-ther, such scaffolds can be functionalized with ligands or biomolecules such as hydroxyapatite, polypyrrole (PPy), magnesium, zinc dopants, and growth factors to stimulate osteogenic differen-tiation, mineralization, and neovascularization to aid in rapid healing. Future directions to co-in-corporate bioceramics, biogenic nanoparticles, and fourth generation biomaterials to enhance bio-compatibility, mechanical properties, and rapid recovery are also included in this review. Hence, the further development of such biomimetic metal-based nano-scaffolds at a lower cost with reduced risks and greater efficacy at regrowing bone can revolutionize the future of orthopedics.