Gelatin-coated, 3D sponge-like scaffolds based on 45S5 bioactive glass were produced using the foam replication technique. Compressive strength tests of gelatin-coated samples compared to uncoated scaffolds showed significant strengthening and toughening effects of the gelatin coating with compressive strength values in the range of cortical bone. Additionally, the crosslinked gelatin network (using either caffeic acid or N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/N-hxdroxysuccinimide (NHS) as crosslinking agent) was shown to be a suitable candidate for the sustained release of the bioactive molecule icariin. Concerning bioactivity of the produced scaffolds, characterization by FTIR and SEM indicated the formation of hydroxyapatite (HA) in all samples after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 14 days, highlighting the favorable combination of mechanical robustness, bioactivity and drug delivery capability of this new type of scaffolds.
Keywords: Bioactive glass; Drug release; Gelatin; Icariin; Scaffold.