Antibacterial activity and biocompatibility of curcumin/TiO₂ nanotube array system on Ti6Al4V bone implants

The present study addresses the issue of infection on and around titanium orthopaedic implants by modifying the Ti6Al4V implant surface with titania nanotubes via electrochemical anodisation followed by coating with a bioactive compound, curcumin. This natural phytochemical compound was used as coating material to enhance the hydrophobicity of the surface to limit initial bacterial adhesion and further to induce bacterial cell death by its biochemical action. Titanium nanotubes were coated with curcumin by direct dropping method. The study of antimicrobial activity indicates that curcumin coated nanotubular surface (TNTC) showed up to 43% and 38% reduction of E. coli and S. aureus population, respectively, within 24 h. Simultaneously, the in-vitro cellular experiments suggested that TNTC supported cell adhesion, proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Thus, it was demonstrated that curcumin can serve as an effective material for coating bone plates to enhance the antimicrobial property while retaining its biocompatibility.