Preparation and biological characterization of plasma functionalized poly(ethylene terephthalate) antimicrobial sutures

The present investigation describes a method for the development of antimicrobial poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) sutures by employing plasma functionalization and immobilization of bioactive agents silver (Ag) and its combination with Aloe vera (AV). Plasma functionalized PET surface has carboxyl functionality that binds the bioactive agent and makes them antimicrobial in nature. The PET, PET-Ag, and PET-Ag-AV sutures were investigated by means of elemental analysis, mechanical properties, and surface topography study. The in-vitro release profile of Ag from the PET-Ag-AV suture exhibit an initial burst followed by sustained release over 72 h. The resulting sutures have excellent bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In-vivo wound healing studies were carried out over a period of 7 d on Swiss albino mice. Histopathology study was suggested the rapid healing in PET-Ag-AV suture treated wounds without any inflammatory response on the newly generated skin, as compared to other groups. Our study suggests that developed sutures shows excellent antimicrobial behavior with the improved healing process and appears to be a promising material as sutures.