Preparation and characterization of novel chitosan/zeolite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications

In this study, chitosan-based novel scaffolds containing zeolite A were fabricated by freeze-drying technique. The nanocomposite scaffolds were prepared from chitosan and zeolite A nanocrystals with different amounts (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%) in aqueous media. The zeolite A nanocrystals and nanocomposite scaffolds were characterized by using FTIR, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and thermogravimetric analysis. The scaffolds were seeded with bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cell line (UE7T-13), and cell attachment, viability, and cytotoxicity assays were performed. In vitro cytotoxicity of scaffolds toward human mesenchymal stem cell line was evaluated through the evaluation of cell viability and cell attachment assays.