Work

Antimicrobial Zn2+-Carboxymethyl Chitosan Cryogel for Controlled Loading and Release of Ciprofloxacin via Coordination Bonds

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Loading of antibiotics to the biodegradable polymers is a straightforward approach to design drug-delivery systems for prevention and treatment of infections, associated with surgical implants. Recently, composites containing Zn2+ ions and antibiotics in polymeric matrices have gained attention as multifunctional materials, which are capable to modulate antimicrobial activity and bioavailability of antibiotics and promote the vascular remodeling, and collagen deposition. Here we suggest a novel approach to fabrication of antimicrobial CMC-Zn-CIP cryogel via stepwise Zn2+ and ciprofloxacin (CIP) loading to supermacroporous carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) scaffolds cross-linked with diglycidyl ether of 1,4-butanediol with inherent antifouling properties against biofilm formation. To find a balance between antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility of CMC-Zn-CIP cryogels, cytotoxicity to the fibroblasts and antibacterial properties against clinically isolated strain of Klebsiella oxytoca were investigated in vitro for Zn2+, CIP, and cryogels with different loadings of Zn and CIP. Kinetics of CIP release from the composite cryogels was fitted with Korsmeyer–Peppas model, the release exponent value of 0.69-0.70 indicates non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. Relatively fast initial release of CIP with the half-life time of 60-123 min and release of 78±1% of CIP after 72 h in PBS buffer at 37°C are potentially beneficial to prevent development of implant-associated infections.

Source: Gels

DOI: 10.3390/gels10120841