Preparation of demineralized bone matrix nanoparticles as new drug delivery system and evaluation their toxicity on chicken embryo and Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is an allograft bone composed of native insoluble bone morphogenetic proteins and plays important roles in skeletal development, osteogenesis, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The osteoinductive capabilities of Allogenic DBM make it a potential drug delivery system for preventive treatment in various anatomical sites. In this study, the cytotoxic and teratogenic effects of DBM nanoparticles, on Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells and chicken embryos were evaluated. 

DBM nanoparticles were injected into fertile eggs at doses of 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100 µM / egg. Then morphological, histological, and skeletal malformations were evaluated. Cytotoxic effects of DBM nanoparticles on Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells were also assessed using MTT test.

Results showed that the fetal growth abnormality occurred only in embryos treated at the highest dose tested (i.e., 100 µM / egg) and MTT test showed no cytotoxicity in low concentration. 

These results indicated that nanoparticles do not have significant toxic effects on chick embryos and cultured stem cells. Only high doses of DBM nanoparticles reduce growth in embryos and cultured cells.