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Antimicrobial proanthocyanidin-chitosan composite nanoparticles loaded with gentamicin
Emilia Alfaro-Viquez1, Daniel Esquivel-Alvarado2, Sergio Madrigal-Carballo2
1Material Sciences & Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Dr, Madison, WI 53706, United States; Reed Research Group, Department of Animal Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Dr, Madison, WI 53706, United States.
New cranberry proanthocyanidin-chitosan nanoparticles (PAC-CHT NPs) loaded with gentamicin (GEN) show enhanced antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. These novel nanoparticles offer potential for treating bacterial infections.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat.
- Nanoparticles offer novel drug delivery systems for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
- Cranberry proanthocyanidins (PACs) and chitosan (CHT) possess inherent antimicrobial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To formulate and characterize cranberry proanthocyanidin-chitosan nanoparticles (PAC-CHT NPs) loaded with gentamicin (GEN).
- To evaluate the antibacterial activity of PAC-CHT-GEN NPs against key bacterial pathogens.
- To assess the potential of PAC-CHT-GEN NPs as a novel therapeutic agent for bacterial infections.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of PAC-CHT-GEN NPs using varying weight ratios.
- Characterization of NPs for size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency (EE).
- Evaluation of antibacterial activity through bacterial agglutination assays and assessment of bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects.
Main Results:
- Stable PAC-CHT-GEN NPs were successfully formulated with sizes ranging from 242.9 to 277.4 nm.
- High encapsulation efficiency (up to 94%) and favorable PDI (0.344–0.391) and zeta potential (34.5–38.5 mV) were achieved.
- PAC-CHT-GEN NPs demonstrated significant agglutination of E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa.
- Enhanced bactericidal activity was observed for PAC-CHT-GEN NPs compared to gentamicin alone.
Conclusions:
- PAC-CHT-GEN NPs are stable, round-shaped, and bioactive nanoparticles.
- These nanoparticles exhibit potent antibacterial activity against common pathogens.
- PAC-CHT-GEN NPs hold significant potential for the development of new treatments for bacterial infections.
