Based on the synergistic effect of Mg2+ and antibacterial peptides to improve the corrosion resistance, antibacterial ability and osteogenic activity of magnesium-based degradable metals.

To overcome the restricted degradation, poor antiacterial and osteoindctive problems of magnesium and its alloys, this study presented the spinning coating of an antimicrobial peptide (AP)-loaded silk fibroin (SF) composite onto a corrosion-resistant MgO-coated AZ31 Mg alloy via anodization (aMgO) and electrodeposition (eMgO) methods. The composite coatings not only created a smooth and hydrophilic surface, but also obviously improved the corrosion resistance according to the test of corrosion potential and current density. The colonization of E. coli on MgO-AP composite coatings was significantly reduced as compared to the MgO layers, due to the potential synergetic effects of APs and Mg2+. Compared with the bare AZ31, the composite coating inhibited the corrosion of the substrate and the release of Mg2+, supported the adhesion, spreading and proliferation of osteoblasts, and presented a significantly improved osteogenic differentiation trend. Therefore, the MgO-AP composite coating, which had both antibacterial and bone-promoting abilities, was expected to be applied for surface modification of magnesium alloy implants to solve the clinical problems of bacterial infection and poor osseointegration.