Spice-Derived Coating Doubles Bone Bonding and Fights Infection and Cancer on Implants

A coating made from curcumin (turmeric) and ginger extract applied to titanium bone implants strengthens bone bonding—doubling the connection within six weeks—while also killing about 92% of bacteria on implant surfaces and reducing cancer-related cells around the implant. The coating, designed to release the compounds gradually, aims to improve implant success across joint and spinal devices and address infection and bone cancer concerns; the work, funded by NIH, blends traditional medicine with modern biomaterials and 3D-printed implants.