Exploring the Antimicrobial Activity of Sodium Titanate Nanotube Biomaterials in Combating Bone Infections: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

The majority of bone and joint infections are caused by Gram-positive organisms, specifically staphylococci. Additionally, gram-negative organisms such as E. coli can infect various organs through infected wounds. Fungal arthritis is a rare condition, with examples including Mucormycosis (Mucor rhizopus). These infections are difficult to treat, making the use of novel antibacterial materials for bone diseases crucial. Sodium titanate nanotubes (NaTNTs) were synthesized using the hydrothermal method and characterized using a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and Zeta sizer. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the NaTNT framework nanostructure was evaluated using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), Disc Diffusion assays for bacterial activity, and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) for antifungal investigation. In addition to examining in vivo antibacterial activity in rats through wound induction and infection, pathogen counts and histological examinations were also conducted. In vitro and in vivo tests revealed that NaTNT has substantial antifungal and antibacterial effects on various bone-infected pathogens. In conclusion, current research indicates that NaTNT is an efficient antibacterial agent against a variety of microbial pathogenic bone diseases.