Structural characterization and anti-cancerous potential of gallium bioactive glass/hydrogel composites

•Synthesized composites of Ga-containing bioactive glass and polymer hydrogels.•Characterized composites using TEM, DSC, and 13C CP/MAS-NMR.•Characterization data suggested glass particles physically entrapped within network.•In vitro testing demonstrated significant reduction in MG-63 osteosarcoma viability. A bioactive glass series (0.42SiO2-0.10Na2O-0.08CaO-(0.40−X)ZnO-(X)Ga2O3) was incorporated into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/dextran (Dex) hydrogels in three different amounts (0.05, 0.10, and 0.25m2), and the resulting composites were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and 13C Cross Polarization Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CP MAS-NMR). Composite extracts were also evaluated in vitro against MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. TEM confirmed glass distribution throughout the composites, although some particle agglomeration was observed. DSC revealed that glass composition and content did have small effects on both Tg and Tm. MAS-NMR revealed that both CMC and Dex were successfully functionalized, that cross-linking occurred, and that glass addition did slightly alter bonding environments. Cell viability analysis suggested that extracts of the glass and composites with the largest Ga-content significantly decreased MG-63 osteosarcoma viability after 30days. This study successfully characterized this composite series, and demonstrated their potential for anti-cancerous applications.