Combinatorial effect of nano whitlockite/nano bioglass with FGF-18 in an injectable hydrogel for craniofacial bone regeneration

Functional regeneration of bone defects, especially critical-sized, in the craniofacial region remains a major clinical challenge that needs intervention. To address this, the present work focuses on the development of an injectable chitin-PLGA hydrogel (CG) containing bioglass nanoparticles (nBG) or whitlockite nanoparticles (nWH) with FGF-18, and compares the osteogenic and neo-bone formation potential against commercially available hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAP) with FGF-18 fortified CG hydrogel in the critical-sized defect region. The developed CG was injectable and the incorporation of bio-ceramics didn't affect the injectability. Sustained release of FGF-18 was achieved in bio-ceramic containing CG hydrogel systems, while CG hydrogel alone displayed rapid release. In addition, the nBG or nWH containing CG hydrogel groups showed in vitro angiogenic potential. Furthermore, ALP a…