Silymarin silver nanoparticles loaded biomimetic coating for titanium implants

Abstract

Titanium is most frequently utilized for making orthopedic and orthodontic implants. Titanium implants are most extensively used because of their anti-corrosive properties, having high success rate. Despite high success rate, there still are number of cases in which implant rejection is observed. Surface modification techniques for improving surface properties, surface roughness and their interaction with biological environment has been explored to overcome the risk of implant associated infections. This research aims at designing a silymarin silver nanoparticles loaded biomimetic coating for titanium implants which results in implants having improved anti-biofilm activity, improved osseointegration and biocompatibility. Green synthesis approach is employed for silver nanoparticles synthesis using Silybum marianum L. plant extract, which is rich in free hydroxyl groups which can reduce Ag+ ions into Ag nanoparticles. Titanium implants are bio-inert they cannot interact with the bone to form a bond that limits their osseointegration. Bone like apatite coating on the titanium surface is being explored for improving osseointegration potential of the surface. The potential of silymarin as a reducing agent is confirmed by the UV spectrometry, XRD, FTIR, SEM and zeta potential analysis of silver nanoparticle. Anti-biofilm crystal violet assay confirmed the anti-biofilm potential of the coated titanium discs. SEM analysis showed uniform coating of calcium phosphate and silver nanoparticles on the titanium surface. Decrease in contact angle of the coated titanium disc confirmed increase in the hydrophilicity of the titanium disc, which denotes increase in the osseointegration of titanium discs.