The role of new zinc incorporated monetite cements on osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

β-Tricalcium phosphate particles were sintered in the presence of different amounts (0–0.72 mol) of zinc oxide (ZnO) to prepare zinc doped β-TCP (Znβ-TCP) particles for further use in novel monetite (DCPA: CaHPO4) zinc incorporated bone cements with osteogenic differentiation potential towards human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). XRD analysis of zinc incorporated cements prepared with β-TCP reagent particles doped with different amount of ZnO (i.e. 0.03, 0.09 and 0.18 mol ZnO) revealed the presence of unreacted Znβ-TCP and monetite. Furthermore, it was shown that zinc ions preferentially occupied the β-TCP crystal lattice rather than the monetite one. Release experiments indicated a burst release of ions from the different fabricated cements during the first 24 h of immersion with zinc concentrations ranging between 85 and 100% of the total concentration released over a period of 21 days. Cell proliferation significantly increased (P