Harnessing the healing powers of minerals for tissue regeneration

Ancient cultures all over the world highly valued certain gemstones for their perceived healing powers and protective qualities. Even today, many people believe that gems can bring health benefits. Amber, for example, is believed by some to cleanse and purify the body, and amethyst is said to bring strength, courage and peace. Although these notions have long been regarded as lore, recent discoveries from researchers at Texas A&M University suggest they may be onto something.

Minerals—which are the raw form of gemstones before they’re cut and polished—can interact with enzymes that then regulate healing and regenerative functions that keep our bodies steady, healthy and alive. Texas A&M researchers discovered that the healing power of inorganic minerals helps attract unspecialized and unprogrammed cells, called stem or progenitor cells, to the site of deterioration. These healing minerals then activate cellular signals that turn these stem cells into the type of specialized cells needed in the deteriorated tissue, such as bone cells or cartilage.

These findings are from the work of a collaborative team led by Akhilesh Gaharwar, PhD, in the Texas A&M College of Engineering and Irtisha Singh, PhD, in the Texas A&M School of Medicine. Together, they published their findings in the scientific journals Advanced Science and Acta Biomaterialia earlier this year.

“These investigations apply cutting-edge, high-throughput molecular methods to clarify how inorganic biomaterials affect stem cell behavior and tissue regenerative processes,” Singh said.

Their research uses breakthrough technology that unravels just how inorganic minerals, in the form of engineered inorganic biomaterials, can orchestrate tissue regeneration—a tool that will be revolutionary in the medical field.

“Enhancing bone density and formation in patients with osteoporosis, for example, can help mitigate the risks of fractures, lead to stronger bones, improve quality of life and reduce health care costs,” Gaharwar said. “These insights open up exciting prospects for developing next-generation biomaterials that could provide a more natural and sustainable approach to healing.”

These inorganic minerals are seen everywhere in nature and are also in biological systems. Silica, a common mineral that makes up sand, glass and quartz stones, is important for cartilage formation. Silver and copper metals support the development of bones and connective tissue. Hydroxyapatite, another naturally occurring mineral, is the most abundant mineral in bones and teeth, while the less common whitlockite mineral, found in meteorites, rocks and caves, is the second most abundant bone mineral.

“One of the most significant findings from our research is the ability of these nanosilicates to stabilize stem cells in a state conducive to skeletal tissue regeneration,” Gaharwar said. “This is crucial for promoting bone growth in a controlled and sustained manner, which is a major challenge in current regenerative therapies.”

Tissue regeneration is possible due to the ions released from inorganic biomaterials, which interact directly with the cells, inducing a defined cell identity (osteoblast), and promote tissue-specific functions (bone regeneration).

Inorganic minerals give cells their identity and specific functions by activating signaling pathways that stimulate bone production and transforming growth factors while, at the same time, blocking other detrimental signaling pathways that lead to, for example, inflammatory cytokine production. Knowing how bone regeneration is induced will have several clinical applications.

“In reconstructive surgery, particularly for craniofacial defects, induced bone growth is crucial for restoring both function and appearance, vital for essential functions like chewing, breathing and speaking,” Gaharwar said.

Using inorganic biomaterials will also minimize the use of protein therapeutics, which, as Gaharwar points out, “carry risks of inducing abnormal tissue growth and cancerous formations.”

“Collectively, these findings elucidate the potential of inorganic biomaterials to act as powerful mediators in tissue engineering and regenerative strategies, marking a significant step forward in the field,” Gaharwar said.

Our Egyptian ancestors were onto something: gemstones do possess protective and healing powers. Now, modern medicine stands on the brink of effectively harnessing their ability to heal.