Antibactericidal nanoclay-based biomaterial for sustained delivery of tetracycline hydrochloride

Nanoclay-based drug delivery vehicle has acquired immense recognition owing to its unique physico-chemical properties. In this study, tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) drug was intercalated into the interlayer gallery of montmorillonite (Mt) clay by a cation exchange process. The intercalated nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray and thermogravimetric study. It was evident from the characterization that TCH drug was successfully intercalated into the interlayer gallery of Mt clay. These clay-based formulations exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria on analyses via zone inhibition methods. An in-vitro drug release study was performed in phosphate buffer at physiological temperature and interestingly it exhibited sustained and controlled release of TCH from the nanocomposites, after an initial burst-out effect. Overall, this study showed that these nanocomposite materials have immense potential for use in controlled drug delivery strategies for antibacterial treatment.