DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL 3D-PRINTED SCAFFOLDS FOR BONE TISSUE REGENERATION AND LOCALIZED INFECTION MANAGEMENT

SWATI SWAGATIKA SWAIN; VEERA VENKATA SATYANARAYANA REDDY KARRI

doi:10.22159/ijap.2025v17i6.55686

Authors

SWATI SWAGATIKA SWAIN Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
VEERA VENKATA SATYANARAYANA REDDY KARRI Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3378-9835

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2025v17i6.55686

Keywords:

Tissue engineering, Bone implantation, Scaffold, 3D printing, Tobramycin

Abstract

Objective: The research objective was to create tobramycin-loaded Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds produced by 3D printing and coat them with either chitosan or Eudragit RS100 for maximizing bone tissue development alongside localized antibacterial treatments.

Methods: PLA scaffolds with pore size 300μm was manufactured through Fused deposition modeling (FDM) based on CAD designs. The scaffolds integrated tobramycin through dipping into solutions containing chitosan and Eudragit RS100 at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%. Scaffold morphology test by SEM analysis followed by chemical compatibility evaluation using FTIR and XRD techniques. Drug release behavior, along with degradation study, is carried out in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and simulated body fluid (SBF). The antibacterial effect against E. coli was determined by zone of inhibition assay.

Results: SEM proved definite porous scaffolds with homogenous coating of drug-polymer. The results of FTIR and XRD indicated that there was no chemical interaction and this was an indication of stable physical incorporation. Biphasic in vitro release of tobramycin was observed and long-term release was found in the 3% polymer-coated scaffolds (TBMC3, TBME3). The Fickian diffusion release was given in drug release (R 2>0.97). Antibacterial tests revealed increased inhibition of E. coli with an increase in the quantity of the polymers. Bioactivity in SBF chronic-degradation indicated gradual weight-decrease (up to 1.48 g) and the development of mineral deposition in the scaffold over 60 d.

Conclusion: The 3D-printed PLA scaffolds containing tobramycin and having chitosan or Eudragit RS100 coatings showed beneficial aspects in terms of morphological structure combined with acceptable physicochemical and biological properties. Sustained drug release, anti-bacterial with biodegradable nature, makes these scaffolds suitable candidates for bone tissue engineering applications and infection control implants.

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