Antibacterial Silver Modified Gallium Metal-Organic Frameworks for Odontogenic Infections

Surgical debridement of infected oral tissues can compromise maxillofacial aesthetics and anatomical function, thereby reinforcing the use of antibiotics as a first-line therapy. However, the escalating threat of multidrug-resistant pathogens has intensified the need for non-antibiotic alternatives that can be applied topically and eliminate microbes regardless of their resistance profiles. In this study, we introduce hybrid gallium-silver metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a novel therapeutic platform that integrates gallium-mediated disruption of iron-dependent metabolic pathways with the biophysical antimicrobial effects of silver nanoparticles, resulting in potent and rapid inhibition of oral streptococcal growth. Using complementary spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, we elucidate the structure and physicochemical properties of these gallium-silver MOFs, leveraging these insights to understand their antibacterial mechanisms. Cytotoxicity assays conducted on human osteogenic cells help define an appropriate therapeutic window. These proof-of-concept findings suggest that, with further optimization, gallium-silver MOFs hold promise as an attractive topical antimicrobial with potential to rapidly clear odontogenic infections.