Development and Characterization of Sustainable Coatings on Surgical Sutures for Wound Healing Application

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.