Background: The development of a scaffold capable of providing a suitable environment for bone regeneration faces significant challenges. In addition to meeting the requirements related to material selection and fabrication techniques, a bone scaffold must ensure adequate porosity to facilitate osteogenesis and vascularization, while also maintaining sufficient mechanical strength during the early stages of bone healing and recovery.
Methods: A biodegradable cellulose-based hydrogel scaffold composed of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), gelatin, and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) was developed for wound-healing applications using a freeze-drying technique. Different formulations of HEC/HPMC/gelatin/β-TCP scaffolds were initially prepared. To evaluate scaffold performance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical testing, degradation analysis, swelling measurements, and antibacterial assays were performed.
Results: Among the prepared formulations, the HEC70–HPMC30 scaffold showed the most favorable mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of approximately 30 MPa, Young’s modulus of 1800 MPa, and elongation at break of ~2%. The scaffold also displayed a highly porous interconnected structure with an average pore size of nearly 100 μm. To improve structural stability, gelatin crosslinked with genipin was incorporated into the optimized polymer matrix, extending the degradation time from approximately 1 h to 24 h. Subsequently, β-TCP was added at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 wt/v%. SEM observations revealed that increasing β-TCP content promoted a more organized pore architecture and more uniform pore distribution. FTIR and elemental mapping analyses confirmed the successful incorporation and homogeneous distribution of β-TCP within the scaffold network. The incorporation of β-TCP significantly affected the physicochemical properties of the scaffolds. Water uptake decreased from 712% in the control scaffold to 402% in the scaffold containing the highest β-TCP concentration after 9 h, while degradation after 24 h decreased to approximately 85%, indicating enhanced structural stability. However, no antibacterial activity was observed against Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus.
Conclusion: The developed HEC/HPMC/gelatin/β-TCP scaffolds exhibit favorable mechanical performance, controlled degradation, and improved structural stability, demonstrating their potential as promising candidates for wound healing