Aditi Dahiya Preliminary Defense
About the event
Abstract
Orthopedic medicine faces significant challenges in treating bone-related diseases such as osteosarcoma, managing bone defects, and combating bacterial infections. This study examines the use of nanoparticle-based therapies, which show promise in enhancing on-site delivery, bioavailability, release kinetics, and efficacy of treatments in bone tissue engineering. Focusing on carvacrol (CA), its modified derivatives, and curcumin (CR), the research investigates their incorporation into nanoparticles applied to 3D-printed tricalcium phosphate scaffolds. The study’s comprehensive methodology includes four experimental aims to test different nanoparticle formulations and hypotheses: CA within lipid nanoparticles, a novel CA derivative combined with hydroxyapatite, a synergistic CA and CR blend in nanoparticles, and a magnesium-complexed CR. These formulations underwent rigorous in vitro testing against osteosarcoma and osteoblast cells, as well as orthopedic pathogens to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness. Preliminary results are promising. CA-loaded lipid nanoparticles consistently released carvacrol ~80% within 35 days at pH 7.4, significantly impeding osteosarcoma cell growth without harming osteoblasts and demonstrating a ~95% antibacterial efficacy. A novel CA derivative, transformed by adding an aldehyde group and forming a copper complex, exhibited a marked 4-fold increase in anti-cancer activity. Additionally, the CA-CR blend was found to significantly boost osteoblast proliferation and exhibit a 98% antibacterial efficacy. Moreover, the CR-Mg complex was notably effective in promoting osteoblast proliferation while preventing osteoclast resorption, conducive to bone healing. These findings suggest that encapsulating CA and CR in nanoparticles for delivery via 3D-printed scaffolds is a versatile strategy with dual benefits: combating osteosarcoma and aiding bone repair while providing antibacterial defense. The chemical interaction between CA and CR improved the bioavailability and release kinetics through synergistic interactions. These in vitro successes lay a strong foundation for future in vivo research, essential for moving these approaches toward clinical application.