Application of natural rubber latex as scaffold for osteoblast to guided bone regeneration

Natural rubber latex (NRL) from Hevea brasiliensis is a colloidal system composed of cis-1,4-polyisoprene. Its applications have grown due its angiogenic and wound healing activity. NRL has been used in guided bone regeneration as barrier, enhancing bone formation. However, there has been no study reported so far which shows its in vitro biocompatibility with osteoblasts. Thus, the aim of this work was to apply thermally induced phase separation under several temperatures to induce porosity in NRL; and test its mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, and mineralization with MC3T3-E1. Only biomembranes submitted at −20 and −10 °C presented porosity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed no change in cis-1,4-isoprene spectra. Biomembranes were elastic (Young's modulus < 1 MPa). According to ISO10993–5, NRL showed no cytotoxicity. Cells adhered on the NRL and produced mineral matrix as analyzed by scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectrometry, von kossa, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cells on NRL presented higher alkaline phosphatase activity, however, mineralization showed no difference by alizarin red S dye extraction. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45321.