Biocidal and bioresorbable chitosan/triclosan/collagen matrixes

Abstract

Biomedical application of biomaterials has increased in recent years. Some preferred characteristics of these materials are biocompatibility, biodegradability and antimicrobial effect. We are facing a constant search for antimicrobial materials to be used instead of antibiotics therapy to reduce the possibility of dental surgery contamination. In this study, biocidal, bioresorbable and non-toxic matrixes were synthesized from chitosan, triclosan and collagen. Three experimental groups received different chitosan/collagen combinations, (0.5:1, 0.75:1 and 1:1), all with the same dose of triclosan (0.1%). Antimicrobial effect was measured by the inhibition of S. aureus growth. Moreover, matrixes were placed in a PBS-collagenase solution to measure degradation over time; matrix residues were evaluated at 1, 4, and 7 days. Finally, cell toxicity of each matrix was analyzed on NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells. As a result, inhibition of S. aureus growth was similar in the three established experimental groups of matrixes vs vancomycin antibiotic as control. These data suggest potent antimicrobial effect of chitosan/triclosan/collagen matrixes. Degradation over time showed that 80% of the matrix was degraded after 4 days, thus suggesting that chitosan/triclosan/collagen matrixes are bioresorbable material. On the other hand, viability of NIH-3T3 cells was between 60% to 74% after 24 h and prior to matrix exposition to culture cells. These data indicate light toxicity in the 0.5:1 and 0.75:1 matrix groups and non-toxic effect in the 1:1 matrix group. By taking together these data, we propose the application of chitosan/triclosan/collagen matrixes to prevent bacterial contamination after dental surgery.