Preparation and Evaluation of Starch Hydrogel/Contact Lens Composites as Epigallocatechin Gallate Delivery Systems for Inhibition of Bacterial Adhesion

Abstract

Microbial infections caused by wearing contact lenses has become a major health problem, so the design and development of antibacterial contact lenses has attracted widespread attention. To safely and effectively inhibit bacterial adhesion of contact lenses, we have facilely prepared epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) loaded starch hydrogel/contact lens composites by in-situ free radical polymerization of the mixture containing 2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The adequate transmittance of the resulting contact lenses was characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, and their satisfactory stability was examined using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Whereafter, cytotoxicity and degradation experiments were performed to investigate the biocompatibility and degradability of the contact lenses. The results showed the nontoxicity and good degradability of the composites. Besides, the capacity of the contact lenses for in vitro release of EGCG was also evaluated, and the results showed that the EGCG in these contact lenses can be sustainably released for at least 14 days. Further bacterial adhesion assay suggested that the EGCG loaded starch hydrogel/contact lenses could significantly reduce the adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to the control. The EGCG loaded starch hydrogel/contact lens composites provide a potential intervention strategy for preventing ocular microbial infections and inhibiting bacterial keratitis.

Revolutionizing Lens Technology: Chitosan and Starch in Next‐Gen Ophthalmic Lenses

“…The study found that the lenses induced minimal ocular irritation and allergic reactions, underlining the biocompatible nature of chitosan coatings. Similarly, research by Lee et al [47] investigated the biocompatibility of starch-based lens materials and found no adverse reactions, positioning them as safe alternatives for lens wearers.…”

“…Similarly, research by Lee et al. [ 47 ] investigated the biocompatibility of starch‐based lens materials and found no adverse reactions, positioning them as safe alternatives for lens wearers.…”

“…Starch is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found abundantly in plants, serving as their primary energy storage compound. Starch-based materials possess a set of properties that make them highly suitable for ophthalmic lenses [63][64][65][66][67][68] 2).…”

Antimicrobial Hydrogels: Potential Materials for Medical Application

“…The EGCG-loaded starch hydrogel/contact lens significantly reduced the adhesion ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the material was non-toxic and degradable, providing a potential intervention strategy for the prevention of ocular microbial infections and suppression of bacterial keratitis. [252] Qin et al successfully prepared a 3D functionalized hydrogel similar to poplar plum using a glutinous corn starch/polyvinyl alcohol double cross-linked gel (W-Gel) backbone material by regeneration combined with freeze-thawing technique. The resulting hydrogel had excellent mechanical properties, and the hydrogel successfully adhered to soft and hard substrates such as skin, plastic, gauze, glass and metal for long-term and stable slow release of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and the EGCG-loaded W-Gel showed good bactericidal ability in contact with Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus and the surrounding environment.…”

“…The EGCG‐loaded starch hydrogel/contact lens significantly reduced the adhesion ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the material was non‐toxic and degradable, providing a potential intervention strategy for the prevention of ocular microbial infections and suppression of bacterial keratitis. [ 252 ] Qin et al. successfully prepared a 3D functionalized hydrogel similar to poplar plum using a glutinous corn starch/polyvinyl alcohol double cross‐linked gel (W‐Gel) backbone material by regeneration combined with freeze‐thawing technique.…”