2026-10-09T06:35:42Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34047553 2026-10-01T17:24:31Z category_1 category_4 category_146 category_915 category_12 category_21 category_873 category_734 category_133 portal_87 item_type_6 month_year_10_2026

Phytochemical-incorporated 3D-printed polylactic acid–starch composite scaffolds for localised breast cancer therapy: fabrication, physicochemical characterisation, and preliminary biological evaluation Jeswin Anto L (25157620) Kaviya Sri R (25157623) Anandakumar Srinivasan (25157626) Vaibhav Srivastava (263870) Biophysics Biochemistry Space Science Physical Sciences not elsewhere classified Cell Biology Biotechnology Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified Plant Biology 3D printing breast cancer scaffold localised drug delivery momordica charantia polylactic acid phytochemical tissue engineering <p>Recurrence of locoregional tumours after breast-conserving surgery presents a considerable obstacle, underscoring the necessity for targeted treatment approaches that minimise systemic exposure. This research involved the creation of a biodegradable, dual-purpose scaffold by integrating <i>Momordica charantia</i> ethanol extract (BME) into a 3D-printed polylactic acid–starch (PLA–starch) composite produced by fused deposition modelling (FDM). The scaffold underwent a thorough assessment of its physicochemical properties, mechanical performance, phytochemical incorporation, release dynamics, and initial biological efficacy. Spectroscopic and diffraction examinations corroborated the connections between BME and the polymer matrix, whilst morphological and thermal assessments indicated effective integration without undermining the structural integrity necessary for processing. The loading of BME was evaluated independently by UV–Vis spectrophotometry and HPLC, revealing a strong correlation between the two methods. The BME-impregnated scaffold demonstrated decreased compressive rigidity and a biphasic release pattern, with kinetic evaluation suggesting diffusion-related release characteristics. GC–MS analysis disclosed a varied phytochemical profile of BME. Significantly, scaffold-released BME exhibited lethal effects against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner, while preserving relatively good viability in Vero cells. The scaffold also shown antibacterial properties against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. These results confirm the PLA–starch–BME scaffold as a viable proof-of-concept system for localised phytochemical administration, but more release studies, mechanistic analyses, and <i>in vivo</i> assessments are necessary to validate its therapeutic potential.</p> 2026-10-01T17:24:31Z Text Journal contribution 10.6084/m9.figshare.34047553.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Phytochemical-incorporated_3D-printed_polylactic_acid_starch_composite_scaffolds_for_localised_breast_cancer_therapy_fabrication_physicochemical_characterisation_and_preliminary_biological_evaluation/34047553 CC BY 4.0