Magnetite-Based Nanostructured Coatings Functionalized with <i>Nigella sativa</i> and Dicloxacillin for Improved Wound Dressings
Gabriela Dorcioman,
Ariana Hudiță,
Bianca Gălățeanu,
Doina Craciun,
Ionel Mercioniu,
Ovidiu Cristian Oprea,
Irina Neguț,
Valentina Grumezescu,
Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu,
Lia Mara Dițu,
Alina Maria Holban
Affiliations
Gabriela Dorcioman
Lasers Department, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
Ariana Hudiță
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
Bianca Gălățeanu
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
Doina Craciun
Lasers Department, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
Ionel Mercioniu
National Institute of Materials Physics, 405A Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
Ovidiu Cristian Oprea
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 1-7 Gheorghe Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Irina Neguț
Lasers Department, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
Valentina Grumezescu
Lasers Department, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu
Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov No. 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
Lia Mara Dițu
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei Street, 077206 Bucharest, Romania
Alina Maria Holban
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei Street, 077206 Bucharest, Romania
In this study, we report the performance improvement of wound dressings by covering them with magnetite-based nanostructured coatings. The magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) were functionalized with Nigella sativa (N. sativa) powder/essential oil and dicloxacillin and were synthesized as coatings by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). The expected effects of this combination of materials are: (i) to reduce microbial contamination, and (ii) to promote rapid wound healing. The crystalline nature of core/shell Fe3O4 NPs and coatings was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) have been coupled to investigate the stability and thermal degradation of core/shell nanoparticle components. The coatings’ morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The distribution of chemical elements and functional groups in the resulting coatings was evidenced by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. In order to simulate the interaction between wound dressings and epithelial tissues and to evaluate the drug release in time, the samples were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) and investigated after different durations of time. The antimicrobial effect was evaluated in planktonic (free-floating) and attached (biofilms) bacteria models. The biocompatibility and regenerative properties of the nanostructured coatings were evaluated in vitro, at cellular, biochemical, and the molecular level. The obtained results show that magnetite-based nanostructured coatings functionalized with N. sativa and dicloxacillin are biocompatible and show an enhanced antimicrobial effect against Gram positive and Gram negative opportunistic bacteria.
