The present paper aims atincreasing the bioperformance of implantable Ti50Zr alloy using zwitterionic cysteine drug coating. Aspects such as stability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial effects were investigated with the help of various methods such as infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), electrochemical methods, contact angle determinations and cell response. The experimental data of zwitterionic cysteine coating indicate the existence of a hydration layer due to hydrophilic groups evidenced in FT-IR which is responsible for the decrease of contact angle and antibacterial capabilities. The electrochemical stability was evaluatedbased on Tafel plots and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The cell response to cysteine was determined with gingival fibroblasts measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). All experimental results supported the increase of stability and better cells response of implantable Ti50Zr alloy coated with zwitterionic cysteine drug. The antibacterial index was measured against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. It was demonstrated that the coating enhanced the production of intracellular ROS in time, which subsequently caused a significant increase in antibacterial index.
Keywords: antibacterial effect; biocompatibility; cysteine; stability; zwitterionic drug.