Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2025
Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries
Published on: March 31, 2021
Potential anti-adhesion activity of novel carbosilane zwitterionic dendrimers against eukaryotic and prokaryotic
Natalia Gómez-Casanova1, Ángela Martín-Serrano Ortiz2, Irene Heredero-Bermejo1
1University of Alcalá, Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
The development of biofilms on different surfaces continues to be a major public health problem. The antimicrobial resistance and the difficulty of finding drugs capable of combating these established biofilms generates the urgent need to find compounds that prevent cells from settling and establishing of these complex communities of microorganisms. Zwitterionic modification of nanomaterials allows the formation of a hydration layer, and this highly hydrophilic surface provides antifouling properties as well as a good biocompatibility by preventing non-specific interactions. Thus, they are appropriate candidates to prevent microbial adhesion to different surfaces and, in consequence, avoid biofilm formation. For this reason, we have incorporated zwitterionic moieties in multivalent systems, as are carbosilane dendrimers. Characterization of these systems was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. It has been analysed if the new molecules have capacity to inhibit the biofilm formation in Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed that they were more effective against S. aureus, observing a biofilm reduction of 81.5% treating with 32 mg/L of G2SiZWsf dendrimer and by 72.5% using 32 mg/L of the G3SiZWsf dendrimer. Finally, the absence of cytotoxicity was verified by haemolysis and cytotoxicity studies in human cells lines.
Insights
Zwitterionic carbosilane dendrimers effectively prevent biofilm formation by inhibiting microbial adhesion. These novel compounds show significant efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms and are non-toxic to human cells.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Biofilm development poses a significant public health challenge due to antimicrobial resistance.
- Developing new compounds to prevent microbial adhesion and biofilm formation is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize zwitterionic carbosilane dendrimers.
- To evaluate the efficacy of these dendrimers in preventing biofilm formation by Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- To assess the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of the synthesized dendrimers.
Main Methods:
- Carbosilane dendrimers were functionalized with zwitterionic moieties.
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry were used for characterization.
- Inhibition of biofilm formation assays were performed for C. albicans, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa.
- Cytotoxicity was evaluated using haemolysis and human cell line studies.
Main Results:
- Zwitterionic carbosilane dendrimers were successfully synthesized and characterized.
- The dendrimers demonstrated significant inhibition of biofilm formation, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus.
- Biofilm reduction of 81.5% and 72.5% was observed with G2SiZWsf and G3SiZWsf dendrimers, respectively.
- No cytotoxicity was observed in haemolysis and human cell line studies.
Conclusions:
- Zwitterionic carbosilane dendrimers are effective antifouling agents that prevent microbial adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation.
- These dendrimers represent a promising strategy for combating biofilm-related infections with good biocompatibility.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Biofilms
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...