Development and characterization of injectable chitosan-based hydrogels containing dexamethasone/rhBMP-2 loaded hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

The injectable chitosan/β-glycerophosphate (CS/GP) hydrogels were prepared with dexamethasone (Dex)/recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) loaded hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAP). The obtained samples were characterized by TEM, SEM, XRD and nitrogen adsorption tests, and the effect of Dex and rhBMP-2 on the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was evaluated. The results showed that nHAP could be dispersed homogeneously in the matrix of injectable CS/GP hydrogels and the combination of Dex and rhBMP-2 could promote the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs, indicating that the prepared injectable CS/GP hydrogels with Dex and rhBMP-2 loaded nHAP have great potential in different orthopedic regenerative applications.

► Dex/rhBMP-2 loaded nHAP was introduced into CS/GP hydrogel.
► nHAP could be dispersed homogeneously in the matrix of injectable CS/GP hydrogel.
► The presence of Dex and BMP-2 promote the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs.