Antimicrobial characteristics of the Li₂O-ZrO₂-Si₂O bioactive glass and glass-ceramic for bone regeneration and wound healing

Infections cause significant complications in surgical cases involving fractures and implants. Biomaterials, particularly bioactive glass, are known for their biocompatibility and tissue regeneration potential. The integration of bactericidal properties with bioactive glasses could prove pivotal in preventing infections during bone and wound regeneration. The LZS (Li2O-ZrO2-Si2O) glass system, recognized for its potential for bone regeneration via scaffolds, is a candidate for further exploration of its antimicrobial capabilities. This study evaluated the antimicrobial properties of LZS bioactive glass and glass-ceramic against various pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enteritidis) using the spread-plate method. The LZS glass exhibited antibacterial effects against all the tested microorganisms, with minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) varying between 50 and 150 mg/mL. The bactericidal effects of the biomaterials were attributed to ion release from the glass matrix, which increased the pH of the solution and effectively eliminated microorganisms. In addition, this study found no evidence of DNA damage, and the LZS systems exhibited no cytotoxic or genotoxic effects at the tested concentrations. The results showed that the investigated antibacterial glass and glass-ceramic have potential applications in bone regeneration or wound healing, especially in scenarios where bacterial proliferation is a concern.