The incorporation of gallium into bioactive materials has been reported to enhance osteogenesis, to influence blood clotting, and to induce anti-cancer and anti-bacterial activity. Gallium-doped biomaterials prepared by various techniques include melt-derived and sol-gel-derived bioactive glasses, calcium phosphate bioceramics, metals and coatings. In this review, we summarize the recently reported developments in antibacterial, anticancer, osteogenesis, and hemostasis properties of Ga-doped biomaterials and briefly outline the mechanisms leading to Ga biological effects. The key finding is that gallium addition to biomaterials has great potential for treating bone-related diseases since it can be efficiently transferred to the desired region at a controllable rate. Besides, it can be used as a potential substitute for antibiotics for the inhibition of infections during the initial and advanced phases of the wound healing process. Ga is also used as an anticancer agent due to the increased concentration of gallium around excessive cell proliferation (tumor) sites. Moreover, we highlight the possibility to design different therapeutic approaches aimed at increasing the efficiency of the use of gallium containing bioactive materials for multifunctional applications.

Mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNPs) are attracting significant attention as suitable materials for multifunctional biomedical applications. In this study, cerium was incorporated into MBGNPs using two different approaches. In the first approach, cerium was added to the glass system directly during the synthesis, while in the second approach, cerium was added to the as-synthesized MBGNPs via the template ion-exchange method. The influence of the method of synthesis on the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles was examined by SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and N₂ adsorption-desorption analyses. The MBGNPs exhibited spheroidal morphology and disordered mesoporous structure. XRD analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of the nanoparticles. The chemical composition was determined by the acid digestion method using ICP-OES. The influence of the synthesis method on the specific surface area, mesoporosity, and solubility of synthesized nanoparticles in Tris/HCl (pH 7.4) and acetate (pH 4.5) buffer has also been studied. The obtained Ce containing MBGNPs were non-cytotoxic toward ​preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells in contact with nanoparticles in a concentration of up to 100 ​μg/mL. The anti-inflammatory effect of Ce containing MBGNPs was tested with lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced proinflammatory RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Ce containing MBGNPs decreased the release of nitric oxide, indicating the anti-inflammatory response of macrophage cells. Ce containing MBGNPs also showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. The mentioned features of the obtained MBGNPs make them useful in a variety of biomedical applications, considering their biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory response, and enhanced antibacterial effect.

This investigation presents a novel approach to engineering mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) through selective ion doping. This method can significantly potentiate their physicochemical properties and biological performance. We elucidate the effects of boron (B) and cobalt (Co) doping, individually and in combination, on MBGNs’ structural, functional, and biocompatible characteristics. Using microemulsion-assisted sol–gel synthesis, we fabricated MBGNs with sizes ranging from 150 to 250 nm and shapes that shifted from spherical to more irregular shapes upon co-doping, as observed by SEM and TEM. We assessed the materials’ amorphous nature and molecular structure through XRD and FTIR, respectively, noting the preservation of bioactivity-associated Si–O–Si groups. This can influence the nucleation and growth of the mineral phases similar to those found in natural tissues, forming a bioactive coating on the material surface. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms confirmed a mesoporous structure with increased specific surface area upon co-doping. The release behavior of Ca and Si in simulated body fluids studied by ICP-OES indicated alterations after adding Co and B, modifying their release kinetics. Bone regeneration relies on osteogenesis and vascular network formation for nutrient and oxygen supply. This study highlights the synergistic effect of B and Co co-doping, enhancing both angiogenesis and osteogenesis beyond single-ion doping. Biocompatibility studies with MG-63 and HDFa cell lines indicated that B enhanced cell viability, while the viability effect of Co was concentration-dependent. Cytotoxicity was assessed through lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays and is shown in high concentrations in the case of reference and B-doped sample, which was significantly reduced in the case of co-doped material. The newly developed nanoparticles showed a 10-fold increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion compared to the control sample (p < 0.05, one-way ANOVA), as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in treated cells. Based on present results, the co-doped system shows a strong potential impact on angiogenesis with no effect on cell cytotoxicity.