Unlocking the Power of Quercetin‐Encapsulated Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles: A Multifunctional Approach to Bone Regeneration

Over the past few decades, mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) have been investigated as highly versatile platforms for bone regeneration, largely due to their remarkable structural and functional properties. In this study, the already established bioactivity of MBGNs is further exploited by functionalizing them with the biologically active ions manganese and copper, and with quercetin, a natural flavonoid with well‐known antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. To the best of current knowledge, this is the first report of quercetin encapsulation within this type of nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles are thoroughly characterized for their morphology, composition, and apatite formation ability in simulated body fluid. Notably, the incorporation of quercetin into MBGNs results in enhanced antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli . Moreover, quercetin exhibits reduced cytotoxic effects toward MC3T3‐E1 cells compared to ion‐doped MBGNs, suggesting its potential as a valuable compound to be added to these ion‐releasing nanoparticles for improved therapeutic efficacy. Overall, the incorporation of copper and manganese ions, along with the encapsulation of quercetin, enhances the multifunctional potential of MBGNs.