Effect of Cinnamaldehyde, an Anti-Inflammatory Agent, on the Surface Characteristics of a Plaster of Paris – CaCO3 Hydrogel for Bone Substitution in Biomedicine

Combining an anti-inflammatory agent derived from a plant essential oil, such as cinnamaldehyde, with bioabsorbable and osteoconductive material as a bone substitute is a challenge in biomedical technology. In this study, cinnamaldehyde, a good anti-inflammatory agent with an aromatic α, β-unsaturated aldehyde derived from cinnamon, was loaded in composites of plaster of Paris (POP) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) hydrogel as a bone substitute. However, during blood–biomaterial interactions, which start after surgical implantation, blood protein adsorption to the biomaterial surface occurs prior to interaction with host cells. Therefore, before a device is ready for implantation, the influence of cinnamaldehyde on the property of the composite, especially its surface characteristics, needs to be examined. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of cinnamaldehyde on the surface topography, contact angle, and surface roughness of a POP–CaCO3 hydrogel scaffold. The results indicate that cinnamaldehyde increased the contact angle and surface roughness of the POP hydrogel, which seemed to be homogenous on all surfaces. © 2020. The American Society of Hematology. All Rights Reserved.