Abstract:
Surgical site infections (SSIs) cause considerable morbidity and cost in surgery all across
the world. Anti-microbial resistance is becoming an increasingly serious concern for the
future of humanity. Common antibiotics are failing to treat microbial infections at an
accelerating rate. As the importance of antibacterial natural compounds is increasingly
recognized, the number of studies on their extraction, purification, and characterization is
progressing rapidly. Therefore, the present research aimed to develop and evaluate
antibacterial Clove/gelatin-coated sutures that could help reduce the incidences of SSI.
Syzygium aromaticum was assessed as a potential antimicrobial agent for suture coating,
and gelatin as a biocompatible matrix for silk-braided suture materials. Syzygium
aromaticum -coated sutures were prepared by dip-coating surgical sutures of different
concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) to form biofilm. Surface morphology, chemical
composition, and mechanical strength were characterized using a scanning electron
microscope, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and tensile strength. Zone of
inhibition assays showed antimicrobial effects of the sutures against (Staph aureus,
Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis), where 20%
Clove/gelatin formation showed potent antibacterial properties up to 17.5± 0.875 mm and
low cytotoxicity in MTT assay human primary dermal fibroblast. Hemolytic assays showed
that all composite concentrations showed <1% hemolytic activity. Approximately 93% of
drug release was observed in 20% composite up to 72 hours which shows promising results
compared to untreated sutures. Sutures coated with Syzygium aromaticum can potentially
be useful for antimicrobial and wound healing applications.
