Cytocompatibility testing of cyclodextrin-functionalized antimicrobial textiles-a comprehensive approach

Functionalized textiles can be used in wound management to reduce the microbial burden in the wound area, to prevent wound infections, and to avoid cross-contamination between patients. In the present study, a comprehensive in vitro approach to enable the assessment of antibacterial activity of functionalized textiles and cytotoxicity of cyclodextrin (CD)-complexes with chlorhexidine diacetate (CHX), iodine (IOD), and polihexanide (PHMB) is suggested to evaluate their properties for supporting optimal conditions for wound healing. For all beta-CD-antiseptic functionalized cotton samples a strong antibacterial effect on the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis as well as on the Gram-negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli was proven. In addition, beta-CD-CHX and beta-CD-PHMB were effective against the yeast Candida albicans. The growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa could be reduced significantly by beta-CD-IOD and beta-CD-PHMB. The established comprehensive testing system for determination of biocompatibility on human HaCaT keratinocytes is suitable for obtaining robust data on cell viability, cytotoxicity and mode of cell death of the beta-CD-antiseptic-complexes. The promising results of the high antimicrobial activity of these functionalized textiles show the high potential of such materials in medical applications.