Synthesis, Characterization of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane-Metronidazole Conjugate and Determination of Antibacterial, Biocompatible Properties

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to synthesize the antibacterial and biocompatible novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-metronidazole (POSS-MTZ) conjugate with condensation reaction from chloro-functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and metronidazole. The prepared chloro-functional POSS metronidazole and POSS-metronidazole structures were characterized for their chemical structure; morphology and thermal behaviour by employing fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric/differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetric analyzer techniques. In addition, the antibacterial properties of the synthesized POSS-MTZ conjugate were tested with broth micro dilution methods on E.coli and S.aureus bacteria. The synthesized POSS-MTZ conjugate shows a statistically significant (p<0.001) antibacterial increase in both E.coli and S.aureus bacteria compared to pure metronidazole (MTZ). Biocompatibility of the POSS-MTZ conjugate was detected in an in vitro cell culture system with an MTT test on L929 mouse skin fibroblast cells. POSS-MTZ conjugates are not cytotoxic. POSS-MTZ conjugate with good biocompatibility and high antibacterial activity can be modified and used for medical and industrial purposes (e.g. wound dressing material, medical surface coating, packaging etc.