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Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Protein Kinase C-delta Inhibitor Peptide Formulation using Gold Nanoparticles
Published on: March 9, 2019
Continuous release of gentamicin from gold nanocarriers
Stefano Perni1, Polina Prokopovich1
1School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK. Email: prokopovichp@cardiff.ac.uk ; ; Tel: +44 (0)29 208 75820 ; Center for Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA.
Gold nanoparticles carrying the antibiotic gentamicin were developed to reduce frequent dosing. These novel antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles show sustained drug release and potent antimicrobial activity against bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Frequent administration of antibiotics is necessary due to rapid metabolism and excretion.
- Developing novel drug delivery systems can improve therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance.
- Gold nanoparticles offer a biocompatible platform for drug conjugation and controlled release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To covalently bind gentamicin to gold nanoparticles for sustained antibiotic delivery.
- To evaluate the antimicrobial activity and drug release profile of gentamicin-gold nanoparticle conjugates.
- To compare the efficacy of cysteine- and glutathione-capped gold nanoparticles as antibiotic carriers.
Main Methods:
- Covalent conjugation of gentamicin to gold nanoparticles functionalized with cysteine or glutathione.
- Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to determine antibiotic loading.
- Antimicrobial assays against Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
- In vitro drug release studies in buffer solutions at pH 7.
Main Results:
- Gentamicin-conjugated gold nanoparticles demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and MRSA at low concentrations (0.1 mg NP/ml).
- Unconjugated nanoparticles showed no antimicrobial effect.
- Sustained release of gentamicin from the conjugates was observed over two days.
- Glutathione-capped nanoparticles exhibited higher gentamicin loading and lower minimum inhibitory concentrations compared to cysteine-capped ones.
Conclusions:
- Gold nanoparticles serve as effective carriers for sustained gentamicin release, potentially reducing administration frequency.
- Glutathione is a superior coupling agent for gentamicin conjugation to gold nanoparticles.
- This approach holds promise for developing advanced antibiotic delivery systems to combat bacterial infections.
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