Fabrication of silver nanoparticles/gelatin hydrogel system for bone regeneration and fracture treatment

Abstract

The present work aims to examine the effect of gelatin on the stabilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their use in healing the bone fracture. AgNPs-loaded Gel hydrogels (AgNPs/Gel) were fabricated under sunlight using gelatin (Gel) as stabilizing agent. The characterization of the synthesized hydrogels was performed with the help of techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Furthermore, the results of cell cytotoxicity confirmed that the AgNPs/Gel hydrogels are nonhazardous to osteoblasts. The outcome of cell fixation with AgNPs/Gel hydrogels after an incubation period of five days exposed the improved survival and spreading of osteoblasts cells on the prepared AgNPs/Gel hydrogels. Moreover, the AgNPs/Gel hydrogel nanostructures displayed their ability in modulating bone fracture healing, which suggests their potential use in nursing care.