Chemically Modified Diatoms Biosilica for Bone Cell Growth with Combined Drug‐Delivery and Antioxidant Properties

Abstract

Abstract Nanostructured biosilica produced by Thalassiosira weissflogii diatoms is covalently functionalized with the cyclic nitroxide 2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐ N ‐oxyl (TEMPO), an efficient scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biological systems. Drug delivery properties of the TEMPO‐functionalized biosilica are studied for Ciprofloxacin, an antimicrobial thoroughly employed in orthopedic or dental implant related infections. The resulting TEMPO‐biosilica, combining Ciprofloxacin drug delivery with anti‐oxidant properties, is demonstrated to be a suitable material for fibroblasts and osteoblast‐like cells growth.