Biomimetic thymoquinone incorporated nanofibrous matrix as periosteum substitute to promote bone healing

The resemblance of nanofibers to the extracellular matrix (ECM) makes it suitable for various tissue engineering application. In this study, electro-spun polycaprolactone (PCL)-gelatin nanofibers had been fabricated with the incorporation thymoquinone (TQ) biomolecule as a periosteum substitute to promote regeneration of bone. The fabricated nanofibrous matrix possess osteo-conductive and osteo-inductive property. It is biocompatible and also acts as an excellent drug delivery vehicle. The significant expression of the bone matrix proteins, alkaline phosphatase secretion and calcium deposition studied in the MG-63 osteoblast like cells seeded on the nanofibrous matrix proves that it makes a suitable periosteum-substitute by enhancing bone mineralization.