Si/Polymer/Natural Drug Materials Prepared by Sol–Gel Route: Study of Release and Antibacterial Activity

This study aims to develop a new class of versatile silica-based materials for medical applications, synthesized via the sol–gel method. Different molecules are incorporated into the silica matrix to improve its biological properties and to use these materials as better-performing implants. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is added to silica-based materials to improve biocompatibility, increase hydrophilicity, and enhance cellular adhesion and growth. The effect of loading the silica/PEG matrix with chlorogenic acid (CGA), a natural compound present in different types of plants, is investigated to understand how the material is affected. The interactions among different components in the hybrid materials are studied by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, the materials are encapsulated in 2% w/v of alginate to evaluate the different releases of CGA, using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. Finally, antimicrobial assessment against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa of the several hybrids is observed by measuring the diameter of the zone of inhibition.