Integrated network pharmacology and bio-functional chitosan-hydroxyapatite scaffolds incorporating quercetin for enhanced bone regeneration in articular cartilage defects.

This article focuses on the development and evaluation of a novel chitosan-hydroxyapatite-quercetin (CHT/HAP/QT) scaffold for bone tissue engineering aimed at treating articular cartilage defects. The scaffold combines chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer; hydroxyapatite, an osteoconductive mineral mimicking bone extracellular matrix; and quercetin, a natural flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and osteogenic properties. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses demonstrated quercetin's potential to modulate inflammation and promote osteogenesis, while zebrafish embryo toxicity tests confirmed the biocompatibility of the scaffold components. Physicochemical characterizations revealed that the scaffold possesses suitable porosity, swelling capacity, biodegradability, and mechanical stability, particularly at 15% quercetin concentration, supporting its potential as an effective and minimally invasive treatment for articular cartilage regeneration.