Characterization and Microbiological Application of Ciprofloxacin Loaded in Natural Rubber Latex Membranes

Natural rubber latex (NRL) from Hevea brasiliensis presents interesting characteristics in biomedical research due to its ability to stimulate angiogenesis, cellular adhesion and formation of extracellular matrix. A broad spectrum antibacterial agent used in skin infection is Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIP). It is a fluoroquinolone employed to treat different bacterial infections caused by gram-positive and gram-negative microorganism. The aim of the present study is to promove the CIP incorporation on the natural material due to develop a biomaterial which could accelerate tissue repair and control wounds infection. The biomaterial characterization was made through several technics. The compound presence on the membrane was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy technique, which shown crystals merged on the material surface. Through X-Ray Powder Diffraction technic was possible to notice the absence of crystallinity (amorphous structure) in the drug-loaded NRL membrane indicating that the drug is molecularly dispersed within the NRL. Besides that, there are no molecular interaction between drug and NRL showed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy neither Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, there were no significant changes in the NRL pyrolysis profile when the drug was added, indicating weak interaction between both compounds, as presented by Derivative Thermogravimetric Analysis assay. Comparing the mechanical properties, both samples (with and without CIP) had a similar behavior. Thus, is possible to presume the material preserved enough elasticity to medical application. Furthermore, antimicrobial assay proved that CIP activity was preserved after its incorporation to the NRL. It allows us to conclude that the material has potential application in infected wound treatment.