Development of plant based bioactive, anticoagulant and antioxidant surface coatings for medical implants

Biomedical implants trigger the activation of thrombo-inflammatory cascades that can impair their performance and potentially cause the serious adverse clinical events including late thrombosis and restenosis. The activation of multifactorial cascades may be inhibited by the active ingredients from natural sources including Cinnamon cassia, Panax. ginseng and Ocimum tenuiflorium. Hence, this study aimed to elucidate and evaluate the potential use of natural drugs to impede the coagulation cascades after biomedical implantation. The natural drugs were incorporated into degradable matrix of poly lactic acid (PLA) with varying concentrations ranging from 1% to 5% and a composite containing all three drugs (1% of each drug) through solvent casting method. All the compositions were characterized principally by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) while the drug release profile of drug was determined by using UV-spectrometry. The 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, thrombin time and hemolysis tests were performed to determine the antioxidant potential, anticoagulation and hemocompatibility of the novel compositions. The drug-protein interactions were determined through molecular docking. All the films underwent initial burst release depending on their composition which was followed by the sustained release pattern. Additionally, DPPH and hemolysis assays exhibited good antioxidant behavior and hemocompatibility. Moreover, the films demonstrated high anticoagulation activity by possibly binding with coagulation factors/proteins of extrinsic pathway including factor II, V, VII and X which was observed through docking. The presence of anticoagulation constituents was confirmed through GC-MS. In conclusion, the pro-posed drug composite expressed the potential of a viable and suitable candidate for biomedical implant coatings.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of natural drugs to impede the coagulation cascades after biomedical implantation. The natural drugs were incorporated into a degradable matrix and tested for their antioxidant potential, anticoagulation, and hemocompatibility. The results showed that the drug composite exhibited high anticoagulation activity and hemocompatibility, making it a viable candidate for biomedical implant coatings.