Monticellite-based ceramic powders obtained from boron derivative waste as bone graft substitutes: the effect of particle size on <i>in vitro</i> cytotoxicity and genotoxicity

The study aims to investigate the effect of particle size on cytotoxicity, osteogenic differentiation, and genotoxicity of monticellite-based ceramic powders produced from boron derivative waste via solid-state synthesis. For this purpose, various in vitro assays, including Alamar blue, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase activity, and micronucleus assay, are conducted to treat the human osteoblast cell line (hFOB 1.19) with particles in varied micron-range sizes within a broad concentration range of 50-800 mu g/mL. The coarse (crushed) monticellite-based ceramic powder with a particle size range of 0.5-42 mu m demonstrates biocompatible and osteoinductive properties at concentrations ranging from 50 to 400 mu g/mL. In contrast, the fine (ball-milled) monticellite-based ceramic powder, with a particle size range of 0.5-4.8 mu m, is biocompatible only at concentrations between 50 and 200 mu g/mL and shows a lack of osteoinductivity by the 14th day. Furthermore, coarse and fine powders exhibit genotoxic effects within the 50-400 mu g/mL concentration range. Overall, the findings indicate the biocompatibility, osteoinductive properties, and lack of genotoxicity of monticellite-based coarse powder. Therefore, it is a promising bone graft substitute to replace lost bone tissue and promote bone healing. Monticellite-based coarse powder may undergo in vivo and clinical studies to evaluate its safety and effectiveness for bone tissue engineering applications.