Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications

Bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGNs) represent a versatile class of inorganic materials distinguished by their capacity to bond with living tissues and to release therapeutic ions in a controlled manner. Synthesised typically via sol–gel or microemulsion routes, BGNs combine high surface area and tunable mesoporosity, enabling rapid formation of a hydroxyapatite-like layer upon contact with physiological fluids. This surface reactivity promotes cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, making BGNs prime candidates for applications in bone and soft tissue regeneration, targeted drug delivery, antimicrobial therapies and bioimaging. Incorporation of functional dopants such as silver, strontium or rare-earth elements further broadens their scope, endowing antibacterial, pro-osteogenic or photothermal properties. Advances in composite scaffolds and injectable hydrogel systems have facilitated minimally invasive delivery and localised treatment. The global challenge of ageing populations, chronic wounds and cancer underscores the need for multifunctional, bioactive materials. BGNs are thus at the forefront of efforts to develop next-generation biomaterials that unite regenerative and therapeutic functions within a single nanoscale platform.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Studies have elucidated the in vivo fate and safety profile of mesoporous BGNs intended for drug delivery. Quantitative tracing has shown an extended residence time in the bloodstream, followed by predominant accumulation in the liver, where particles localise within hepatocyte cytoplasm without inducing oxidative stress or histopathological alterations. Excretion occurs chiefly via faecal routes, and comprehensive metabolic assessment has revealed no significant disruption of organ function. These findings establish a robust foundation for the clinical translation of BGNs as biocompatible nanocarriers capable of sustained therapeutic release with minimal systemic risk.

Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive glass nanoparticles in biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Bioactive glass nanoparticles: Nanoscale silicate materials that bond to bone and soft tissue through surface reactions forming apatite.

Mesoporosity: A network of uniform pores (2–50 nm) within nanoparticles, conferring high surface area and facilitating controlled ion or drug release.

Apatite: A calcium phosphate mineral phase similar to bone mineral, formed on bioactive glass surfaces in physiological conditions.

Myogenic differentiation: The process by which precursor cells develop into muscle fibres, marked by myotube formation and expression of specific genes.

Osteogenic differentiation: The transformation of progenitor cells into bone-forming osteoblasts, accompanied by matrix mineralisation.

Ion doping: The deliberate incorporation of trace elements into glass composition to impart specific biological or physical functions.

Hydrogel scaffold: A water-swollen polymer network used to support cell growth and localise nanoparticle delivery in tissue engineering.

References

1. Bioactive nanoglass regulating the myogenic differentiation and skeletal muscle regeneration. Regenerative Biomaterials (2023).
2. Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Materials Design for Biomedical Applications. Materials (2016).
3. Drug-loadable Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Nanospheres: Biodistribution, Clearance, BRL Cellular Location and Systemic Risk Assessment via 45Ca Labelling and Histological Analysis. Scientific Reports (2016).
4. A 3D Printed Bone Tissue Engineering Scaffold Composed of Alginate Dialdehyde‐Gelatine Reinforced by Lysozyme Loaded Cerium Doped Mesoporous Silica‐Calcia Nanoparticles. Macromolecular Bioscience (2022).