Preparation of icariin/TiO2 nanotube composite coating on pure titanium surface and analysis of early drug release.

Abstract

The surface modification of pure titanium and the improvement of the early osseointegration of titanium implants are research hotspots currently. This study aimed to load icariin onto the surface of TiO2 nanotube to form the composite coating, and to study the amount of loaded drug and the importance of early release. The TiO2 nanotube was formed on the surface of smooth pure titanium via anodic oxidation, and both smooth pure titanium and TiO2 nanotube were characterized using the scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope and contact angle apparatus. Moreover, icariin was loaded onto the surface of pure titanium and TiO2 nanotube using the soaking method. The amount of early drug release in both types of materials was determined via high-performance liquid chromatography. The amount of loaded drug was calculated, and the curves of cumulative release amount and cumulative release percentage were plotted. The TiO2 nanotube had a diameter of 80 nm with greater roughness than that of pure titanium (p<0.05) and smaller contact angle than that of pure titanium (p<0.05). The cumulative drug release amount in the first 14 d and the curve of cumulative drug release in the first 4 h in icariin/TiO2 nanotube group were significantly larger and higher than those in the icariin/pure titanium group. The curve of cumulative drug release percentage was flatter and the release time was longer in icariin/TiO2 nanotube group than those in the icariin/pure titanium group. Our results indicate that the icariin/TiO2 nanotube composite coating can provide a higher drug loading amount with a sustained-release effect.