Novel magnesium alloy Mg–2La caused no cytotoxic effects on cells in physiological conditions

• A new magnesium alloy (Mg–2La) has been developed.
• Magnesium alloy Mg–2La revealed no toxic effect in physiological concentrations.
• Degradation rates were influenced by the corrosion media.
• The addition of fetal bovine serum increased the corrosive process slightly.

Using several different in vitro assays, a new biodegradable magnesium alloy Mg–2La, composed of 98% magnesium and 2% lanthanum, was investigated as a possible implant material for biomedical applications. An in vitro cytotoxicity test, according to EN ISO 10993-5/12, with L929 and human osteoblastic cells identified no toxic effects on cell viability at physiological concentrations (at 50% dilutions and higher). The metabolic activity of human osteoblasts in the 100% extract was decreased to < 70% and was therefore rated as cytotoxic. The degradation rates of Mg–2La were evaluated in phosphate buffered saline and four different cell culture media. The degradation rates were shown to be influenced by the composition of the solution, and the addition of fetal bovine serum slightly accelerated the corrosive process. The results of these in vitro experiments suggest that Mg–2La is a promising candidate for use as an orthopedic implant material.