Clay: New Opportunities for Tissue Regeneration and Biomaterial Design

Abstract

Seminal recent studies that have shed new light on the remarkable properties of clay interactions suggest unexplored opportunities for biomaterial design and regenerative medicine. Here, recent conceptual and technological developments in the science of clay interactions with biomolecules, polymers, and cells are examined, focusing on the implications for tissue engineering and regenerative strategies. Pioneering studies demonstrating the utility of clay for drug‐delivery and scaffold design are reviewed and areas for future research and development highlighted.

Elastomeric and mechanically stiff nanocomposites from poly(glycerol sebacate) and bioactive nanosilicates

“…In addition to osteoinductive properties, nanosilicates has been demonstrated to drastically improve mechanical properties of soft nanocomposite materials. [31,33] So we expect that the addition of nanosilicate to PGS will enhance the mechanical stiffness of nanocomposite network.…”

“…[23,24] Some of the promising biomedical applications for nanosilicates-based composites include high-performance elastomers [25][26][27][28], selfhealing structures [29], injectable hemostats [30], moldable hydrogels [31], and drug delivery vehicles [32,33]. Recently, our group showed that by incorporating nanosilicates in collagen-based matrix, significant enhances alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity (an early marker for osteogenesis), and promotes production of mineralized matrix.…”

Bone induction at physiological doses of BMP through localization by clay nanoparticle gels

“…[1] In particular smectite clays which swell and delaminate into individual particles, can host an array of potential interactions with organic molecules on particle surfaces or within interlayer pores and inter-particle spaces through cation-exchange, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, cation bridging, anion exchange and proton transfer.…”

“…Clay-biomolecule interactions have been applied for delivery of drugs in tablet form through drying and compaction of clay-drug complexes, or else in polymer-clay nanocomposites developed for drug delivery and, more recently, tissue regeneration [1].…”

Zeolite-based biomaterials for biomedical application: A review

“…It was reported by Ceyhan et al [20] that the cells in the body are not biologically significant influenced by the zeolite that has been incorporated in simulated body fluids. In its development, the zeolites have also been used as antidiarrheal drugs [21], the elimination of ammonia ions from renal dialysis and treatment of external wounds [22]. The favorable effects of zeolites in several conditions of a disease have been discussed [15,23].…”