Characterization and cytocompatibility of an antibiotic/chitosan/cyclodextrins nanocoating on titanium implants

• Chitosan-based nanoparticles were synthesized combining two different cyclodextrins.
• Ciprofloxacin was successfully entrapped and delivered by the nanoparticles.
• Ciprofloxacin-modified nanoparticles were used to obtain a coating on titanium.
• The investigated nanoparticles demonstrated efficient antibacterial activity.
• The proposed system did not affect osteoblast functions in bone remodelling.

A novel ciprofloxacin loaded chitosan nanoparticle-based coating onto titanium substrates has been developed and characterized to obtain an orthopaedic implant surface able to in situ release the antibiotic for the prevention of post-operative infections. Ciprofloxacin loaded chitosan nanoparticles were obtained using the combination of sulfobutyl ether-beta-cyclodextrin and gamma-cyclodextrin. The resulting nanoparticulate system was characterized by TEM, HPLC and XPS. Particle size was in the range 426–552 nm and zeta potential values were around +30 mV. This antibacterial coating was able to in vitro inhibit two nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus strains growth, with a reduction of about 20 times compared to controls. No impairment in MG63 osteoblast-like cells viability, adhesion and gene expression were detected at 48 h, 7 and 14 days of culture. Overall, the investigated coating represents a promising candidate for the development of a new antibiotic carrier for titanium implants.