*Article* **Cefazolin Loaded Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose/Polycaprolactone Bilayered Composite for Use as Potential Antibacterial Dural Substitute**

**Arunnee Sanpakitwattana 1, Waraporn Suvannapruk 2, Sorayouth Chumnanvej 3, Ruedee Hemstapat 1,\* and Jintamai Suwanprateeb 2,\***


**Abstract:** Oxidized regenerated cellulose/polycaprolactone bilayered composite (ORC/PCL bilayered composite) was investigated for use as an antibacterial dural substitute. Cefazolin at the concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/mL was loaded in the ORC/PCL bilayered composite. Microstructure, density, thickness, tensile properties, cefazolin loading content, cefazolin releasing profile and antibacterial activity against *S. aureus* were measured. It was seen that the change in concentration of cefazolin loading affected the microstructure of the composite on the rough side, but not on the dense or smooth side. Cefazolin loaded ORC/PCL bilayered composite showed greater densities, but lower thickness, compared to those of drug unloaded composite. Tensile modulus was found to be greater and increased with increasing cefazolin loading, but tensile strength and strain at break were lower compared to the drug unloaded composite. In vitro cefazolin release in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) consisted of initial burst release on day 1, followed by a constant small release of cefazolin. The antibacterial activity was observed to last for up to 4 days depending on the cefazolin loading. All these results suggested that ORC/PCL bilayered composite could be modified to serve as an antibiotic carrier for potential use as an antibacterial synthetic dura mater.

**Keywords:** synthetic dural substitute; drug release; antibiotics carrier; cefazolin
