Egcg-Modified Electrospun Antibacterial Coating On Titanium Implant

Postoperative infection significantly increases the risk of failure in titanium dental implants. While the local application of antimicrobial agents can effectively mitigate these infections. Electrospinning has gained considerable attention for its ability to produce high-performance nanofibers suitable for localized drug release. Nevertheless, challenges such as weak interfacial bond with Ti surface limits its application as a surface coating strategy. The EGCG-modified PCL/Gel nanofiber coating was fabricated via electrospinning on Ti substrate. Coating adhesion and wear resistance was evaluated by peel strength test, cross-hatch tape adhesion test, friction and wear assessment and in vitro coating durability test. Drug release kinetics were monitored for 28 days. Antibacterial efficacy was tested against S. aureus and E. coli in vitro and in a rat infection model in vivo. Biocompatibility was analyzed using CCK-8 and live/dead assays with MC3T3-E1. This innovative approach significantly enhanced the interfacial bond strength between the nanofibers and the Ti surface, thereby improving the wear resistance of the coating. Additionally, the incorporation of rifampicin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, into the EGCG-modified electrospun coating enabled sustained Rif release over 28 days, providing potential long-term antibacterial activity. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that the Ti/NFs-0.5%EG@Rif coating exhibited significantly enhanced antibacterial efficacy. In conclusion, the EGCG-modified electrospun coating represented a promising and cost-effective strategy for enhancing the functionality of Ti implants, with the potential to improve clinical outcomes in dental applications.