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Updated: Nov 12, 2025
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro
Published on: April 21, 2023
Inhibition of biofilm formation by alpha-mangostin loaded nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus
Phuong T M Nguyen1,2, Minh T H Nguyen3, Albert Bolhuis4
1Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the antibiofilm activity of alpha-mangostin (AMG) loaded nanoparticles (nanoAMG) against Staphylococcus aureus, including the methicillin-resistant strain MRSA252. The results indicated that treatment with 24 μmol/L nanoAMG inhibited the formation of biofilm biomass by 53-62%, compared to 40-44% for free AMG (p < 0.05). At 48 μmol/L, biofilms in all nanoAMG treated samples were nearly fully disrupted for the two tested strains, MRSA252 and the methicillin-sensitive strain NCTC6571. That concentration resulted in killing of biofilm cells. A lower concentration of 12 µmol/L nanoAMG inhibited initial adherence of the two bacterial strains by > 50%. In contrast, activity of nanoAMG was limited on preformed mature biofilms, which at a concentration of 48 µmol/L were reduced only by 27% and 22% for NCTC6571 and MRSA252, respectively. The effects of AMG or nanoAMG on the expression of biofilm-related genes showed some noticeable differences between the two strains. For instance, the expression level of ebpS was downregulated in MRSA252 and upregulated in NCTC6571 when those strains were treated with either AMG or nanoAMG. In contrast, the expression of fnbB was down regulated in NCTC6571, while it was up-regulated in the MRSA252. The expression of other biofilm-related genes (icaC, clfB and fnbA) was down regulated in both strains. In conclusion, our results suggest that AMG coated nanoparticles had enhanced biological activity as compared to free AMG, indicating that nanoAMG could be a new and promising inhibitor of biofilm formation to tackle S. aureus, including strains that are resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Insights
Alpha-mangostin (AMG) loaded nanoparticles effectively inhibited Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and disrupted existing biofilms. NanoAMG demonstrated enhanced antibiofilm activity compared to free AMG, offering a promising strategy against antibiotic-resistant strains.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology in antimicrobial drug delivery
- Molecular mechanisms of bacterial biofilm formation
- Antimicrobial resistance and novel therapeutic strategies
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus poses a significant threat due to its ability to form biofilms and develop antibiotic resistance.
- Alpha-mangostin (AMG), a natural compound, exhibits antimicrobial properties but its efficacy against biofilms requires enhancement.
- Nanoparticle encapsulation can improve the delivery and efficacy of therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antibiofilm activity of alpha-mangostin loaded nanoparticles (nanoAMG) against Staphylococcus aureus.
- To compare the efficacy of nanoAMG with free AMG in inhibiting and disrupting S. aureus biofilms.
- To investigate the impact of nanoAMG on the expression of key biofilm-related genes in S. aureus.
Main Methods:
- Preparation and characterization of alpha-mangostin loaded nanoparticles (nanoAMG).
- In vitro assessment of nanoAMG's ability to inhibit biofilm formation and disrupt preformed biofilms against S. aureus strains (MRSA252 and NCTC6571).
- Quantitative analysis of biofilm biomass and bacterial cell viability.
- Gene expression analysis of biofilm-related genes (ebpS, fnbB, icaC, clfB, fnbA) using quantitative PCR.
Main Results:
- NanoAMG significantly inhibited biofilm biomass formation (53-62%) compared to free AMG (40-44%) at 24 μmol/L.
- At 48 μmol/L, nanoAMG nearly fully disrupted biofilms and killed biofilm cells for both MRSA252 and NCTC6571 strains.
- NanoAMG at 12 µmol/L inhibited initial bacterial adherence by over 50%, while its effect on mature biofilms was limited.
- Differential regulation of biofilm genes (ebpS, fnbB) was observed between strains, with icaC, clfB, and fnbA downregulated in both.
Conclusions:
- Alpha-mangostin loaded nanoparticles exhibit enhanced antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus compared to free alpha-mangostin.
- NanoAMG demonstrates potential as a novel therapeutic agent for combating S. aureus biofilms, including antibiotic-resistant strains.
- The study highlights the promise of nanotechnology in improving the efficacy of natural compounds against bacterial infections.
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