Ulli Harlaß

Bachelor Student

Preparation and characterization of phytotherapeutic agents loaded bioactive glass-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Betreuer: Irem Ünalan, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Biologically active agents based on plant extracts such as rosemary, peppermint, lavender, lemongrass, cinnamon, thyme and grape seed, can be of advantage for applications in medicine due to their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal properties [1]. Recent work has considered the incorporation of propolis and cranberry compounds into sol-gel derived bioactive  glasses [2]. This bachelor thesis aims to fabricate and optimize phytotherapeutic agents loaded bioactive glass-based scaffolds, made by the foam replica method [3], to achieve new scaffolds with antibacterial potential. The fabricated scaffolds will be investigated regarding their morphological, chemical, mechanical and bioactive properties.

[1] Bakkali, F., et al., Biological effects of essential oils–a review. Food and chemical toxicology, 2008; 46(2): 446-475.

[2] Galarraga‐Vinueza, M. E., et al., Mesoporous bioactive glass embedding propolis and cranberry antibiofilm compounds, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. A 2018; 106: 1614-1625.

[3] Chen QZ, et al., 45S5 Bioglass®-derived glass–ceramic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Biomaterials 2006; 27: 2414-2425.