Efficient osteoblastic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells on TiO2 nanoparticles and metformin co-embedded electrospun composite nanofibers

In the present study, TiO2 nanoparticle (nTiO2) and metformin (MET)-co-embedded composite electrospun poly-ε-Caprolactone/gelatin nanofibers (PCL/GEL NFs) were developed as functional biomimetic scaffolds for improved osteoblastic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). Morphological features and chemical configuration of fabricated electrospun fibers were characterized via FE-SEM, TEM, TGA, and FTIR. Improved mechanical properties were detected on the composite NFs due to the presence of inorganic particles, nTiO2. Besides, FE-SEM images and PicoGreen assay were demonstrated the enhanced adhesion and proliferation rate of hADSCs grown on the nTiO2/MET-loaded NFs, respectively. Moreover, a synergistic effects of nTiO2-generated surface nanotopography and the released MET led to a great capacity in the scaffold to induce differentiation toward osteoblasts via enhanced mineralization content and increased expression levels of osteoblastic markers. Overall, this preliminary work demonstrated the nanocomposite scaffold can be deemed as a strong potential candidate for bone tissue regeneration and engineering.