Zein in bone and skin tissue engineering

Tissue engineering has an important role in regenerative medicine. Its success depends upon type of scaffold. Natural polymer was recommended for scaffold synthesis. Zein is one of the natural polymers which is extracted from corn. It is amphiphilic with molecular weight of about 40 kDa. In recent years Zein has been used as a biopolymer for tissue engineering, especially for bone and skin tissue engineering. Many studies have been done on Zein and its composites. In this paper, we review these studies. The mechanical properties of Zein scaffolds are similar to cancellous bone that is appropriate for non-load bearing areas. The Zein scaffolds and MSCs promote the repair of critical-sized defects with successful vascularization. Biocomposite scaffolds such as Zein scaffolds with HA coating have better osteogenic potential and biocompatibility. The scaffolds contain Zein/ HA/ PCL compared with PCL, PCL/ HA and Zein/ PCL show improved MSCs adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation and Zein does not need cross-linker. The developed rhBMP-2-loaded silica/HACC/zein scaffolds present bioactivity, biocompatibility, antibacterial activity and appropriate mechanical strength. Zein is useful for wound dressing. Zein and Zein/ PCL matrices contain tetracycline can be used as anti-bacterial wound dressings. PU–CA–Zein-drug nanofibrous scaffolds were used for burn, chronic and diabetic wound infections because of better hydrophilicity, cell attachment, proliferation and blood clotting. Nanostructured Zein/Ag scaffold has good antibacterial activity. The coelectrospinning of Zein with collagen improved the electrospinnability and tensile strength of collagen fiber. Finally, Zein and its composite could apply for bone regeneration and wound dressing.

کلیدواژه ها:

Tissue engineering ، Zein ، Natural polymer