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Titanium is most frequently utilized for making orthopedic and orthodontic implants.
Titanium implants are most extensively used because of their anti-corrosive properties,
having high success rate. Despite high success rate, there still are number of cases in which
implant rejection is observed. Surface modification techniques for improving surface
properties, surface roughness and their interaction with biological environment has been
explored to overcome the risk of implant associated infections. This research aims at
designing a silymarin silver nanoparticles loaded biomimetic coating for titanium implants
which results in implants having improved anti-biofilm activity, improved osseointegration
and biocompatibility. Green synthesis approach is employed for silver nanoparticles
synthesis using Silybum marianum L. plant extract, which is rich in free hydroxyl groups
which can reduce Ag+ ions into Ag nanoparticles. Titanium implants are bio-inert they
cannot interact with the bone to form a bond that limits their osseointegration. Bone like
apatite coating on the titanium surface is being explored for improving osseointegration
potential of the surface. The potential of silymarin as a reducing agent is confirmed by the
UV spectrometry, XRD, FTIR, SEM and zeta potential analysis of silver nanoparticle.
Anti-biofilm crystal violet assay confirmed the anti-biofilm potential of the coated titanium
discs. SEM analysis showed uniform coating of calcium phosphate and silver nanoparticles
on the titanium surface. Decrease in contact angle of the coated titanium disc confirmed
increase in the hydrophilicity of the titanium disc, which denotes increase in the
osseointegration of titanium discs.