Development and characterization of an injectable hydrogel with baicalein-loaded nanotubes for vital pulp therapy

Abstract

This study will develop and evaluate an injectable photocrosslinkable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel with a flavonoid baicalein (BA)-loaded-nanotubes as a biocompatible and biodegradable strategy to release BA for vital pulp therapies. This study will use the baicalein flavonoid at 10 mM and 20 mM concentrations. This compound will be encapsulated into a halloysite aluminosilicate nanotube and then into GelMA. In detail, a series of hydrogels based on GelMA formulations containing different amounts of BA-loaded nanotubes will be analyzed for physicochemical, mechanical properties and kinetics of BA release as well as compatibility with mesenchymal stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth. The hydrogel microstructure evaluation will be analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The cytotoxicity effects of BA-laden GelMA hydrogels on cell viability will be determined by MTT assays (n = 5). The swelling capacity of the GelMA-based hydrogels will be determined using the gels' known hydration (n = 4), and the degradation analysis will be evaluated at predetermined time intervals up to 21 days (n = 4). The mineralized dentin matrix will be analyzed for up to 28 days (n = 8) and stained with alizarin red, followed by absorbance measurement. To determine the amount of drug released from the BA-loaded nanotube-modified GelMA, different hydrogel samples (n = 4) will be formulated and analyzed by a UVvis spectrophotometer for up to 28 days. The antimicrobial activity will be examined by direct and indirect contact tests (n = 6) and the anti-biofilm ability (n = 6). Data will be checked for normality and equal variances, and adequate parametric or non-parametric tests will be applied depending on their distribution. (AU)