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Glycyrrhizic Acid Nanoparticles Subside the Activity of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Suppressing
Patricia Rijo1,2, Tamer M M Abuamara3,4, Lashin Saad Ali Lashin3,5
1CBIOS-Lusófona University's Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are classified as high-risk infections that can lead to death, particularly among older individuals. Nowadays, plant nanoparticles such as glycyrrhizic acid are recognized as efficient bactericides against a wide range of bacterial strains. Recently, scientists have shown interest in plant extract nanoparticles, derived from natural sources, which can be synthesized into nanomaterials. Interestingly, glycyrrhizic acid is rich in antioxidants as well as antibacterial agents, and it exhibits no adverse effects on normal cells. In this study, glycyrrhizic acid nanoparticles (GA-NPs) were synthesized using the hydrothermal method and characterized through physicochemical techniques such as UV-visible spectrometry, DLS, zeta potential, and TEM. The antimicrobial activity of GA-NPs was investigated through various methods, including MIC assays, anti-biofilm activity assays, ATPase activity assays, and kill-time assays. The expression levels of mecA, mecR1, blaR1, and blaZ genes were measured by quantitative RT-qPCR. Additionally, the presence of the penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) protein of S. aureus and MRSA was evaluated by a Western blot assay. The results emphasized the fabrication of GA nanoparticles in spherical shapes with a diameter in the range of 40-50 nm. The data show that GA nanoparticles exhibit great bactericidal effectiveness against S. aureus and MRSA. The treatment with GA-NPs remarkably reduces the expression levels of the mecA, mecR1, blaR1, and blaZ genes. PBP2a expression in MRSA was significantly reduced after treatment with GA-NPs. Overall, this study demonstrates that glycyrrhizic acid nanoparticles have potent antibacterial activity, particularly against MRSA. This research elucidates the inhibition mechanism of glycyrrhizic acid, which involves the suppressing of PBP2a expression. This work emphasizes the importance of utilizing plant nanoparticles as effective antimicrobial agents against a broad spectrum of bacteria.
Insights
Glycyrrhizic acid nanoparticles (GA-NPs) show strong antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. These plant-derived nanoparticles effectively reduce bacterial gene expression and PBP2a protein levels, offering a promising antimicrobial strategy.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) are dangerous infections, especially in the elderly.
- Plant-derived nanoparticles, like glycyrrhizic acid (GA), are emerging as effective bactericides with no adverse effects on normal cells.
- Glycyrrhizic acid is rich in antioxidants and antibacterial compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize glycyrrhizic acid nanoparticles (GA-NPs) using the hydrothermal method.
- To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of GA-NPs against S. aureus and MRSA.
- To investigate the inhibitory mechanism of GA-NPs, focusing on gene and protein expression.
Main Methods:
- Physicochemical characterization of GA-NPs using UV-Vis spectrometry, DLS, zeta potential, and TEM.
- Antimicrobial activity assessment via MIC, anti-biofilm, ATPase activity, and kill-time assays.
- Gene expression analysis (mecA, mecR1, blaR1, blaZ) using quantitative RT-qPCR and PBP2a protein detection via Western blot.
Main Results:
- Spherical GA-NPs with a diameter of 40-50 nm were successfully synthesized.
- GA-NPs demonstrated significant bactericidal effectiveness against S. aureus and MRSA.
- Treatment with GA-NPs markedly reduced the expression of key bacterial genes (mecA, mecR1, blaR1, blaZ) and PBP2a protein in MRSA.
Conclusions:
- Glycyrrhizic acid nanoparticles exhibit potent antibacterial activity, particularly against MRSA.
- The inhibitory mechanism involves the suppression of PBP2a expression.
- Plant-derived nanoparticles like GA-NPs represent a promising avenue for developing novel antimicrobial agents.
