Ca-Ga Double Doping Strategy to Fabricate Hemostatic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSN) with Antibacterial Activity

Abstract

Hemostatic materials with antibacterial properties become increasingly significant in military and civilian trauma care. In recent years, some advanced inorganic hemostatic materials (e.g. QuikClot, Combat Gauze, and WoundStat) have been reported to have their own drawbacks and side effects. In the study, the mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) doped with calcium and gallium (Ga0.5CaMSS) was explored for hemorrhage control together with good antibacterial properties. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), Nitrogen gas adsorption-desorption measurements, X-Ray diffraction measurements (XRD) and the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were used to characterize the coagulation-promoting surface chemistry, morphology and porous structure of the samples. The clotting blood tests (CBT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) tests, prothrombin time (PT) tests, and thromboelastograph (TEG) analysis showed the much better hemostatic properties of the Ga0.5CaMSN compared with the control and blank MSN. Besides, Ga0.5CaMSN was found to have obvious antibacterial effect against both S. aureus and E. coli. Furthermore, the perfect biocompatibility of all samples was proved by hemolysis assay study and cytotoxicity test. Associated with the blood coagulation tests and antibacterial tests, it could be inferred that the stimulation of the blood coagulation and antibacterial activity of Ga0.5CaMSN were attributed to the incorporation of calcium ions and gallium ions. The Ga0.5CaMSN developed here can be a potent candidate for emergency treatment to control hemorrhage and wound infection pre-hospital.