Characterization of silk sutures coated with propolis and biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs); an eco-friendly solution with wound healing potential against surgical site infections (SSIs)

Tuba Baygar

doi:10.3906/sag-1906-48

Abstract

Background/aim Bacterial adherence to a suture material is one of the main causes of surgical site infections. An antibacterial suture material with enhanced wound healing function may protect the surgical site from infections. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of propolis and biogenic metallic nanoparticles when combined with silk sutures for biomedical use.Materials and methods Silver nanoparticle (AgNP) synthesis was carried out via a microbial-mediated biological route and impregnated on propolis-loaded silk sutures using an in situ process. Silk sutures fabricated with propolis and biosynthesized AgNPs (bioAgNP-propolis-coated sutures) were intensively characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The antibacterial characteristics of the bioAgNP-propolis-coated sutures were evaluated using the agar plate method. The biocompatibility of the bioAgNP-propolis-coated sutures was evaluated using 3T3 fibroblast cells, and their wound-healing potential was also investigated.Results BioAgNP-propolis-coated sutures displayed potent antibacterial activity against pathogenic gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. BioAgNP-propolis-coated silk sutures were found to be biocompatible with 3T3 fibroblast cell culture. In vitro wound healing scratch assay also demonstrated that the extract of bioAgNP-propolis-coated sutures stimulated the 3T3 fibroblasts’ cell proliferation. Conclusion Coating the silk sutures with propolis and biogenic AgNPs gave an effective antibacterial capacity to surgical sutures besides providing biocompatibility and wound healing activity.

Highlights

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common complications that occur after surgery
Silk sutures fabricated with propolis and biosynthesized AgNPs were intensively characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
BioAgNP-propolis-coated silk sutures were found to be biocompatible with 3T3 fibroblast cell culture

Summary

Introduction

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common complications that occur after surgery. The surgical suture can itself be the main cause of the SSI owing to microbial adherence [1]. Microbial accumulation onto the suture is related to the microbial species and the structure and chemical composition of the suture material [1,2,3]. Biofilm formation occurs after the suture material becomes contaminated, and it cannot be eradicated by biologic agents, chemical agents, or other mechanisms of wound decontamination [2]. Multifilament sutures, e.g., silk, are preferred to monofilament sutures because of the easy manipulation and knot security. Some studies reported that multifilament sutures are known to lead to bacterial adherence, which can cause severe inflammations [4]

Methods

Results

Conclusion