Novel biodegradable hydrogel scaffold based on hydroxyapatite eggshell, collagen, and epigallocatechin‑3‑gallate

Biodegradable hydrogel scaffold is one of the crucial characteristics that determine the success of pulp regeneration. The degradation should be suitable for the growth of new tissue establishment. The aim of this study is to synthesize and compare the novel biodegradable hydrogel scaffold based on hydroxyapatite (HAp) eggshell, collagen, and epigallocatechin‑3‑gallate (HAp‑Col‑EGCG) with different HAp concentrations in vitro.

This study is original research. HAp‑Col‑EGCG hydrogel scaffolds were prepared using 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 ratios of collagen and HAp with 10 µmol/L EGCG. The samples were freeze‑dried and immersed in phosphate buffer saline containing lysozyme enzyme. The dried samples were weighed to determine the percentage of biodegradation value (P < 0.05).

The result showed HAp‑Col‑EGCG was biodegradable but it has not been concluded that it can be completely eliminated. The data were analyzed by one‑way analysis of variance and it indicated significant differences in percentage values.

Hydrogel scaffold based on HAp‑Col‑EGCG can be degraded and have the potential to be used as a biodegradable scaffold in supporting tissue regeneration.