Antibiotics drug release controlling and osteoblast adhesion from Titania nanotubes arrays using silk fibroin coating

Bacterial infection, wide inflammation, and osteoporosis are the most common factors in the failure of orthopedic implants. The present study aims to design an orthopedic implant based on Titania nanotubes (TiO2-NTs) which not only have a high biocompatibility but also are characterized by anti-bacterial property. In order to improve the osseointegration of the TiO2-NTs structures (110–120 nm in diameter, 40 μm in length), they were used to coat the Titania implant by electrochemical anodizing. Vancomycin, which is soluble in water, was loaded as a main clinical drug to control intensive infections caused by positive gram bacteria. For the first time, Silk Fibroin (SF) Nanofibers coating was used to control drug release by the implementation of electrospinning on the TiO2-NTs surface. In order to investigate the anti-bacterial activities, S. aureus bacterium culture test was used. The cell culture of MG63 was conducted for both coated and non-coated samples of TiO2-NTs. The results showed that the SF Nanofibers coating not only controls the drug being freely released from TiO2-NTs but also effects adhesion and development of osteoblast cells. In this regard, this coating inhibits biofilm formation and development, as well as bacteria colonization due to anti-bacterial drug release. Therefore, this system can be considered as a promising alternative for orthopedic implants, preventing bone infection, osteomyelitis, bone cancer treatment, and other orthopedic diseases. [Display omitted] •Preparation and coating of TiO2-NTs by electrochemical anodization method•Improved surface Wettability of TiO2-NTs studied by Contact Angle•Change in physicochemical surface properties of Titania nano-structures as a function of various diameters for drug loading•Study and Characterization of Surface Morphology by Atomic Force Microscopy•Coating of SF nanofibers on TiO2-NTs, by electrospinning technique•promoting osteoblast cell adhesion on the TiO2-NTs and SF nanofibers•TiO2-NTs implants could act as potential biocompatible drug carriers•Desirable and sustained release of Vancomycin from TiO2-NTs•All samples show antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus•Results suggest a promising platform for biomedical applications