Antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility evaluation of the antimicrobial peptide Nal-P-113-loaded graphene oxide coating on titanium

The initialization of the gingival crevicular barrier epithelium facing the exposed implant surface is reported to take 1-2 weeks, and peri-implant inflammation mediated by bacterial infection has been an increasing concern. In this study, we developed a novel composite coating containing graphene oxide (GO) and the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) Nal-P-113 on smooth titanium surface, and then investigated the antibacterial properties and cytocompatibility of the coating. The results showed that Nal-P-113 exhibited a slow and continuous drug release in vitro from the composite coating. The Nal-P-113-loaded GO coating demonstrated excellent antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Gram-negative Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), without no obvious cytotoxicity to human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells. The Nal-P-113-loaded GO coating need further optimization for anti-infective and wound healing promoting purpose of peri-implant tissues.