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Repurposing Anthelmintics: Rafoxanide- and Copper-Functionalized SBA-15 Carriers against Methicillin-Resistant
Maricely Ramírez-Hernández1, Javiera Norambuena2, Hongnan Hu1
1Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 98 Brett Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 28, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed novel silica nanomaterials combining an repurposed anthelmintic drug with copper ions. These materials show significantly enhanced antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, offering a promising strategy against antibiotic resistance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Antimicrobial Research
Background:
- Rising microbial resistance necessitates novel antimicrobial strategies.
- Repurposing existing compounds like rafoxanide (RFX) is a viable approach.
- Controlled delivery systems are crucial for enhancing antimicrobial efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize amine-functionalized SBA-15 silica nanomaterials.
- To investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of RFX and Cu(II) ions delivered via SBA-15.
- To evaluate the impact of pH and synthesis sequence on Cu(II) release and bactericidal activity.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of amine-functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica.
- Loading of rafoxanide (RFX) and anchoring of Cu(II) ions.
- Structural characterization using physicochemical, thermal, and optical methods.
- In vitro release studies and antimicrobial efficacy testing against Staphylococcus aureus.
Main Results:
- SBA-15 nanocarriers loaded with Cu(II) and RFX demonstrated 10-fold greater bactericidal action against S. aureus compared to RFX alone.
- The synthetic sequence significantly influenced the bactericidal efficacy of the nanomaterials.
- Cu(II) ion release was dependent on pH and the material's synthesis pathway.
Conclusions:
- Amine-functionalized SBA-15 nanocarriers loaded with Cu(II) and RFX represent a potent antimicrobial system.
- Controlled release and synergistic effects contribute to enhanced efficacy against S. aureus.
- Optimization of synthesis protocols can further improve the therapeutic potential of these nanomaterials.
