Minocycline–Collagen Coatings on Textile Surgical Mesh

Background/Objectives: Synthetic mesh repair of abdominal wall hernias can be complicated by infection, often requiring mesh removal. Bioactive coatings may enable local antimicrobial delivery while preserving mesh properties. This study developed a synthetic surgical mesh coated with a minocycline hydrochloride (MH)-loaded type I fibrillar collagen gel, evaluated MH concentration and coating layer effects, optimized the formulation, and assessed preliminary in vivo tolerability and wound healing. Methods: Collagen gel containing MH was applied to meshes by repeated immersion/drying (1–3 layers) using a Mitchell-Bayne 32 design. Meshes were characterized by optical microscopy, SEM, contact angle, enzymatic degradation, and MH release, and in vivo clinical trials were conducted in 20 Wistar rats using superficial excisional and thermal injury models. Results: SEM proved collagen/MH deposition. The meshes with 0.6% MH showed the highest enzymatic resistance. Release was rapid in the first 60 min and then gradual; the Power law model fitted best (R2 > 0.97), indicating non-Fickian release. The mesh coated with two layers of collagen consisting of 0.6% MH promoted faster wound closure than controls: complete re-epithelialization by day 5 for superficial wounds, and complete thermal wound healing by day 10. No macroscopic local intolerance or systemic adverse reactions occurred. Conclusions: The MH-loaded collagen-coated textile mesh provided controlled local drug delivery, enzymatic stability, and preliminary wound-healing benefits with good local tolerability.