Synthesis and in vitro bioactivity of a borate-based bioglass

A bioactive borate glass was synthesized through normal melting-derived route in this letter. The degradation and bioactivity of the glass were studied by the immersion of glass microspheres in a dilute K2HPO4 solution. The cell growth inhibition rate of the borate glass was examined by MTT assay. The conversion product of the borate glass was identified by XRD, SEM. It was confirmed that the borate glass had a rapid degradation rate, comparing with the silicate-based bioglass, 45S5 glass. HA formed from the borate glass, that is an indication of bioactive potential in vivo. MTT assay results demonstrate that the inhibition effect of B ions released from the borate glass on cell proliferation can be alleviated by diluting extract solution to a certain concentration (v/v ratio: 1:4, [B] < 1.792 mM). It is believed that the borate glass could be a desirable biomaterial for preparing scaffold of tissue engineering. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.