Mimicking bone remodeling scaffolds of polyvinylalcohol/silk fibroin with phytoactive compound of soy protein isolate as surgical supporting biomaterials for tissue formation at defect area in osteoporosis; characterization, morphology, and in-vitro testing

Mimicking bone remodeling scaffolds were developed as supportive biomaterials to promote tissue formation at defect sites in osteoporosis. Scaffolds made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were mixed with varying weight ratios of silk fibroin (SF) and a phytoactive compound-based soy protein isolate (SPI); PVA30SF, PVA20SF10SPI, PVA15SF15SPI, PVA10SF20SPI, PVA30SPI. PVA was used as control. These components were mixed into aqueous solution and crosslinking with EDC before freeze thawing and freeze drying, respectively. Then, the scaffolds were characterized at the molecular level using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and their morphology was observed using scanning electron microscopy. Physical properties including swelling and degradation were tested, as well as mechanical properties like stress-strain behavior and modulus. The biological performance of the scaffolds was evaluated through osteoblast cell culturing, assessing cell viability, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium content, and calcium deposition. The results demonstrate that the scaffolds with both SF and SPI had greater molecular mobility of -OH, amide I, II, and III groups, compared to the scaffold with only SF or SPI. These scaffolds also displayed larger pore sizes. Scaffolds with both SF and SPI showed higher swelling and degradation rates than those with only SF or SPI. Additionally, they exhibited better cell viability and calcium deposition, along with increased cell proliferation, ALP activity, and calcium content. Notably, the scaffold with a higher amount of SPI, PVA10SF20SPI, exhibited the most suitable performance for enhancing cell response, thereby promoting bone formation. This scaffold is proposed as a supportive biomaterial to be incorporated with plates and screws for bone fixation at defect sites in osteoporosis.