Terpene-Based Eutectic Solvent Microdroplets: A Strategy to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Helicobacter pylori

Area of Science:

• Green Chemistry
• Antimicrobial Agents
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a global health issue, exacerbated by increasing antibiotic resistance.
• Terpene-based therapeutic eutectic solvents (THEES) are emerging as sustainable, antimicrobial green solvents.
• Novel strategies are needed to overcome H. pylori antibiotic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of THEES-based microdroplets as a novel therapeutic strategy against H. pylori.
• To develop and characterize THEES microdroplets using microfluidic technology.
• To evaluate the biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity of THEES microdroplets against H. pylori.

Main Methods:

• Microfluidic technology was employed to generate oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion droplets using three THEES systems (menthol/thymol, menthol/lidocaine, menthol/eucalyptol).
• The THEES were formulated with a 10 wt% poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) aqueous phase.
• Biocompatibility was assessed using L929 mouse fibroblasts, and in vitro antimicrobial activity was tested against standard and antibiotic-resistant H. pylori strains.

Main Results:

• THEES-based microdroplets were successfully fabricated using microfluidic devices.
• The microdroplets demonstrated biocompatibility with L929 mouse fibroblasts.
• In vitro studies showed antimicrobial activity against both standard and antibiotic-resistant H. pylori strains.

Conclusions:

• THEES-based microdroplets represent a novel and sustainable platform for targeting H. pylori infections.
• This approach offers a potential breakthrough in combating antibiotic resistance.
• The use of THEES microdroplets may prevent the further development of antibiotic resistance.