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Polymyxin B-loaded PVP-capped silver nanoparticles: A potent approach against multidrug-resistant bacteria

Mohammad Jaafreh1, Walhan Alshaer2, Mahmoud Y Alkawareek3

  • 1Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, Besut, 22200, Terengganu, Malaysia.

Biomaterials Advances
|June 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study developed novel silver nanoparticles loaded with Polymyxin B (PMB) to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. The PMB-loaded nanoparticles show enhanced antibacterial activity and reduced toxicity, offering a promising new treatment strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria present a critical global health challenge, diminishing antibiotic effectiveness.
  • Polymyxin B (PMB) is a last-resort antibiotic for MDR Gram-negative infections but faces limitations due to toxicity and emerging resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and characterize Polymyxin B-loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as an advanced antimicrobial delivery system.
  • To evaluate the enhanced antibacterial efficacy and reduced toxicity of the novel nanotherapeutic formulation against MDR bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized via chemical reduction and loaded with PMB, stabilized by PVP.
  • Nanoparticle characterization involved UV-vis spectroscopy, DLS, FTIR, TEM, and TGA.
  • Antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility were assessed using bacterial inhibition assays and human dermal fibroblast studies.

Main Results:

  • The optimized PMB-loaded AgNPs (PMB-AgNPs-0.5) measured approximately 95.9 nm with good encapsulation efficiency (70.79%).
  • PMB-AgNPs-0.5 demonstrated significantly enhanced antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa compared to free PMB.
  • The formulation restored sensitivity in PMB-resistant strains and improved susceptibility in sensitive strains, while showing improved safety in human dermal fibroblasts.

Conclusions:

  • PMB-loaded PVP-AgNPs represent a promising nanotherapeutic platform with superior antibacterial efficacy and reduced toxicity.
  • This novel formulation offers a potential strategy for overcoming challenges posed by multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Keywords:
Antibacterial nanocarriersMultidrug resistancePVPPolymyxin BSilver nanoparticles

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