Preparation of thermo-responsive antimicrobial hydrogel from agave bagasse xylan-net-oxazoline and phosphate...

Innovative strategies for developing biocompatible, responsive materials for controlled drug delivery remain a key challenge to address implant-associated infections. In this work, hybrid hydrogels were synthesized via a one-step aqueous process by simultaneously polymerizing and crosslinking poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the presence of agave bagasse xylan and mesoporous silica particles (SBA_P). SBA_P promoted network interpenetration via hydrogen bonding with xylan chains. This design combined the thermoresponsive behavior of PIPOx, xylan's biocompatibility, and SBA_P's adjuvant properties to enhance hydrogel performance. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a three-dimensional structure with reduced pore size as SBA_P content increased. Also, swelling, deswelling, and Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) values decreased with higher SBA_P amounts. The hybrid hydrogels efficiently loading levofloxacin (LEVO) in a range of 14.5-21 × 10^-3 μg/mL, exceeding its minimal inhibitory concentration against gram-negative and -positive bacteria. LEVO release studies showed higher release at 25 °C than at 40 °C, demonstrating thermo-responsivity, with prolonged release over 48 h following the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics, indicating diffusion-controlled drug release mechanism. Moreover, LEVO-loaded hydrogels exhibited antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These results suggested the hydrogels have potential as antimicrobial carriers and potential scaffolds for addressing implant-associated infections in clinical applications.