In Situ Application of Berberine-Loaded Liposomes on the Treatment of Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a major challenge in global healthcare, as it requires the simultaneous management of bone defects and bacterial infections, which poses considerable difficulties for orthopedic clinicians. In this study, we developed berberine liposome-modified bone cement specifically aimed at treating osteomyelitis induced by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. We characterized the physical properties of this modified bone cement, conducted in vitro antibacterial assays to evaluate its efficacy in eradicating <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> biofilm, established an in vivo rat model of osteomyelitis, and performed histopathological assessments alongside micro-CT analysis of bone parameters. The results indicated that the berberine liposome-modified bone cement exhibited favorable biodegradability and sustained-release characteristics, with a drug release rate of more than 90% within 14 days, while effectively eliminating bacterial biofilm with a biofilm eradication rate of up to 80% and facilitating bone repair with a bone volume fraction of 80%. This innovative treatment demonstrated both safety and efficacy in addressing tibial osteomyelitis in rats, thereby offering novel insights and methodologies for clinical interventions against osteomyelitis.