A novel BSA-coated nano selenium-impregnated scaffold showed improved strength, cellular attachment and proliferation in C2C12 cell

This study aims to develop scaffolds (CCS, CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs) with enhanced mechanical strength, thermal stability, and antioxidant properties to improve cell attachment and proliferation of the C2C12 cell line for cardiac health applications. Collagen and chitosan are popular biopolymers in tissue engineering for their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and support for cell growth. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are incorporated into scaffolds for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which enhance tissue regeneration. Sodium alginate and pectin, natural polysaccharides, further modify these scaffolds to improve structural and functional properties. Developing these composite scaffolds aims to optimize biomaterial performance in regenerative medicine. In the present study, various types of scaffolds (CCS, CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs scaffolds) were prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The XRD data revealed that all the scaffolds (CCS, CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs) displayed an amorphous structure. SEM analysis demonstrated that the CCS and CCS-SA-SeNPs scaffolds exhibit solid-walled metrics and a smooth surface. EDX confirmed the homogeneous Se distribution within the scaffolds. The tensile strength of CCS, CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs scaffolds was found to be 5.15 N, 4.77 N, 4.05 N, and 4.01 N, respectively. Thermal stability assessments showed that CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs and CCS-PET-SeNPs scaffolds displayed good thermal stability, with maximum decomposition occurring at 250 °C. Furthermore, the CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs scaffolds showed notable antioxidant activity of ∼ 57 %, compared to the CCS scaffold’s 42 %. Morphological studies of C2C12 cells on these scaffolds showed better proliferation on SeNPs-enhanced scaffolds. Nucleus morphology remained unchanged, indicating no adverse effects from SeNPs. The results indicate that the scaffolds (CCS, CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs) demonstrate notable enhancements in mechanical strength, thermal stability, and antioxidant efficacy. These advancements are anticipated to promote enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation of the C2C12 cell line, thereby emphasizing their potential utility in cardiac health applications.