Silicon-Enhanced Bone Health and Regeneration

Silicon has emerged as a pivotal trace element in skeletal biology, contributing to collagen synthesis, matrix mineralisation and osteogenic cell function. In physiological fluids it is predominantly present as orthosilicic acid, which influences osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and intercellular communication. Materials incorporating silicon—ranging from silicate bioactive glasses to silicon oxycarbide scaffolds—have demonstrated osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties in vitro and in animal models. Advances in additive manufacturing and hybrid composites have enabled the fabrication of porous structures that mimic bone architecture and release controlled quantities of soluble silicate. Dietary and supplemental silicon interventions also show promise in supporting bone density and turnover, particularly in contexts of ageing or osteopenia. The global burden of osteoporosis and critical‐size defects underlines the need for standardised methodologies to optimise silicon dosing, material design and translational pathways towards clinical use.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have explored the effects of soluble silica on human progenitor cells, revealing that physiological concentrations of soluble silicon enhance osteogenic differentiation and gap junction communication. In one key investigation, human dental follicle cells exposed to defined silicate doses exhibited increased expression of bone‐related markers (including BMP2, BSP, OCN) and connexin 43, which facilitated intercellular signalling. Combined treatment with osteoinductive medium and silicon amplified mineral deposition and upregulated genes involved in extracellular matrix remodelling, such as COMP and MMP family members. The findings support a mechanistic role for silicon in promoting coordinated osteoblast maturation and suggest that controlled delivery of soluble silicate can potentiate bone regeneration processes.

Silicon-Enhanced Bone Health and Regeneration publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in silicon-enhanced bone health and regeneration across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Orthosilicic acid: The bioavailable monomeric form of silicon (H₄SiO₄) in physiological fluids that influences cell function.

Bioactive glass: Amorphous silicate‐based material that releases soluble silica and ions to stimulate bone bonding and regeneration.

Osteoconductive: Property of a material to support the attachment, migration and growth of osteogenic cells along its surface.

Gap junction communication: Direct cell–cell signalling mediated by connexin channels, critical for coordinated differentiation.

Porous silicon scaffold: Three‐dimensional silicon‐based structure with interconnected pores designed to mimic trabecular bone architecture.

References

1. Effects of Silicon Compounds on Biomineralization, Osteogenesis, and Hard Tissue Formation. Pharmaceutics (2019).
2. Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds: New perspectives for therapy. Nutrition & Metabolism (2013).
3. The effect of Si species released from bioactive glasses on cell behaviour: A quantitative review. Acta Biomaterialia (2023).
4. Cytocompatible and osteoconductive silicon oxycarbide glass scaffolds 3D printed by DLP: a potential material for bone tissue regeneration. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (2024).
5. Allogenic Stem Cells Carried by Porous Silicon Scaffolds for Active Bone Regeneration In Vivo. Bioengineering (2023).
6. Soluble silica stimulates osteogenic differentiation and gap junction communication in human dental follicle cells. Scientific Reports (2020).
7. Silicon Supplementation for Bone Health: An Umbrella Review Attempting to Translate from Animals to Humans. Nutrients (2024).