<i>Artemisinin</i> Loaded Cerium-Doped Nanopowders Improved In Vitro the Biomineralization in Human Periodontal Ligament Cells

Background: A promising strategy to enhance bone regeneration is the use of bioactive materials doped with metallic ions with therapeutic effects and their combination with active substances and/or drugs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the osteogenic capacity of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) in culture with artemisinin (ART)-loaded Ce-doped calcium silicate nanopowders (NPs); Methods: Mesoporous silica, calcium-doped and calcium/cerium-doped silicate NPs were synthesized via a surfactant-assisted cooperative self-assembly process. Human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) were isolated and tested for their osteogenic differentiation in the presence of ART-loaded and unloaded NPs through alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and Alizarine red S staining, while their antioxidant capacity was also evaluated; Results: ART promoted further the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs in the presence of Ce-doped NPs. Higher amounts of Ce in the ART-loaded NPs inversely affected the mineral deposition process by the hPDLCs. ART and Ce in the NPs have a synergistic role controlling the redox status and reducing ROS production from the hPDLCs; Conclusions: By monitoring the Ce amount and ART concentration, mesoporous NPs with optimum properties can be developed towards bone tissue regeneration demonstrating also potential application in periodontal tissue regeneration strategies

Synthesis and Characterization of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles: Effect of Cerium Precursor to Gelatin Ratio

Hemocompatible nanoparticles with reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging properties for titanium implant surface coatings may eliminate implant failure related to inflammation and bacterial invasion. Cerium (Ce) is a rare earth element, that belongs to the lanthanide group. It exists in two oxidation states, Ce+3 and Ce+4, which contribute to antioxidant, catalytic, antibacterial, and ROS-scavenging properties. The purpose of the present study was to synthesize ceria nanoparticles and to evaluate their hemocompatibility and ROS scavenging properties. The synthesis of Ce-NPs was performed via the sol-gel method, and five different ratios of cerium precursors to gelatin were evaluated. Their characterization was achieved through FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TEM. Hemocompatibility and ROS analysis were evaluated at different concentrations with human erythrocytes. The morphology and size distribution were certified by TEM and the cubic CeO2 fluorite structure was identified by selected area electron diffraction and high-resolution TEM. The particle size of the lowest Ce concentration presented a mean diameter of 10 nm. At concentrations of 2 NPs unique candidates as nanofillers or nanocoatings with antibacterial properties