Novel Biocompatible Green Silver Nanoparticles Efficiently Eliminates Multidrug Resistant Nosocomial Pathogens and Mycobacterium Species

Current advancements in nanoparticles for vaccines and drug delivery for the treatment of tuberculosis

Since the early centuries until the present, tuberculosis has been a global illness with no cure. However, the sickness remains dormant in the afflicted individuals in certain circumstances. Due to the thick lipid mycobacterial wall and the challenging medication delivery into the bacterial cell, treatment is complex at this point. Over the past utics., there has been a growth in the function of nanomaterials in tuberculosis (TB) management, especially in the domains of early diagnosis, vaccine, and therapy. It has been demonstrated that nanomaterials are effective in quickly and accurately identifying tuberculosis germs. Additionally, novel nanocarriers have shown great promise for improved medication delivery and immunization, possibly increasing drug concentrations in target organs while lowering the frequency of treatments. Furthermore, the engineering of antigen carriers is a promising area of tuberculosis research that may lead to the successful creation of a novel class of potent TB vaccines. This article addresses tuberculosis infection diagnosis, pathophysiology, immunology, and advanced nanoparticles to deliver TB vaccines and anti-TB drugs. The challenges and prospects for the future in creating secure and functional nanoparticles for tuberculosis treatment and diagnosis for the good health and well-being of the patient are also discussed.

Evaluation of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract for its In vitro Antibacterial Properties, Mechanism of Action, and In vivo Corneal Ulcer Healing Effects in Rabbits' Eyes

BACKGROUND

M. oleifera is the most adapted tree species in different medicinal eco-systems and has resilience against climate changes. This multiple-use tree provides healthy foods, snacks, honey, and fuel. Besides this, it has immense promising applications by offering antimicrobial and antibacterial activities for targeted uses. This validates the court of Hippocrates that let food be the medicine and medicine be the food for which moringa qualifies.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to assess the antioxidant properties of M. oleifera, in vitro antibacterial activity of hydro-ethanolic extract, and further investigate in vivo healing potential of M. oleifera for corneal ulcers and in silico analysis.

METHODS

To evaluate the antioxidant and in vitro antibacterial potency of the hydro-ethanolic extract of M. oleifera on clinically isolated multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus using agar well diffusion assay. Furthermore, in vivo, healing response of M. oleifera extract was analysed on corneal ulcers induced in rabbit eyes infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

RESULTS

The M. oleifera extract exhibited exponential antioxidant activity. In-vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion assay showing zone of inhibition ranging from 11.05 ± 0.36 to 20 ± 0.40 mm at concentrations of 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/ml, whereas, in our finding, no zone of inhibition was observed below 20 mg/ml concentration, which indicated that there is threshold limit below which the antibacterial activity of M. oleifera extract is not observed. Furthermore, continuous application of 3% and 5% M. oleifera extract (eye drop) four times a day for 14 consecutive days showed a significant healing response of the eyes of rabbits with corneal ulcers.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that M. oleifera extract could be a viable alternative or in combination could be used in existing antibacterial therapies for corneal ulcers. Additionally, there is a possibility of commercial formulation of M. oleifera extract in the form of deliverable pharmaceutical products; therefore, it should be explored further.

Therapeutic Potential of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) as an Antimycobacterial Agent: A Comprehensive Review

The uncontrolled emergence of multidrug-resistant mycobacterial strains presents as the primary determinant of the present crisis in antimycobacterial therapeutics and underscores tuberculosis (TB) as a daunting global health concern. There is an urgent requirement for drug development for the treatment of TB. Numerous novel molecules are presently undergoing clinical investigation as part of TB drug development. However, the complex cell wall and the lifecycle of M. tuberculosis within the host pose a significant challenge to the development of new drugs and, therefore, led to a shift in research focus towards alternative antibacterial compounds, notably nanotechnology. A novel approach to TB therapy utilizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) holds the potential to address the medical limitations imposed by drug resistance commonly associated with currently available antibiotics. Their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity presents the utilization of AgNPs as a promising avenue for the development of therapeutics targeting mycobacterial-induced diseases, which can effectively target Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including drug-resistant strains. AgNPs can enhance the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes and a shorter duration of therapy. However, the successful implementation of this complementary strategy is contingent upon addressing several pivotal therapeutic challenges, including suboptimal delivery, variability in intra-macrophagic antimycobacterial effect, and potential toxicity. Future perspectives may involve developing targeted delivery systems that maximize therapeutic effects and minimize side effects, as well as exploring combinations with existing TB medications to enhance treatment outcomes. We have attempted to provide a comprehensive overview of the antimycobacterial activity of AgNPs, and critically analyze the advantages and limitations of employing silver nanoparticles in the treatment of TB.

Enhanced in-vitro anti-Candida efficacy of Euphorbia milii Des Moul mediated copper nanoparticles against clinically isolated Candida albicans

Background and Purpose

Emergence of fungi as a pathogenic threat presents a significant challenge to public health, notably in intensive care units (ICUs) and among immunocompromised patients. Various factors, including sepsis-induced barrier disruptions, immune system dysfunction, and extremes of age, contribute to increased susceptibility to fungal infections. Hospital practices, such as prolonged surgeries, broad-spectrum antibiotic use, and invasive procedures, further exacerbate the risk. Fungal bloodstream infections, particularly those caused by Candida albicans, rank among the most common hospital-acquired infections, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. The global rise in invasive candidiasis, particularly due to non-albicans Candida species, presents challenges in the diagnosis and treatment due to nonspecific symptoms and emerging antifungal resistance. Nanotechnology interventions particularly by utilizing green synthesized copper nanoparticles could possibly provide a novel solution to combat microbial colonization, biofilm formation, and drug resistance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of candidemia, identify the distribution of causative Candida species, and understand their susceptibility patterns to commonly used antifungal agents for effective management in ICU settings. Additionally, the study sought to explore the in vitro anti-Candida activity of green copper nanoparticles synthesized using Euphorbia milii des moul extract.

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted at Microbiology Laboratory of Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research from January to December 2022, focused on ICU patients suspected of bloodstream infections. Blood samples were collected aseptically and processed using BD BACTECTM culture vials. Identification of organisms was performed via the Vitek-2 system by confirming candidemia with positivity in both blood samples. After that antifungal susceptibility testing was also performed against Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommended antifungal drug using Vitek 2 system. G-CuNPs were synthesized using E. milii Des moul extract and possessed for physiochemical characterization. The anti-Candida activity of G-CuNPs was evaluated through the MTT assay and time kill assay. After that generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and DNA degradation were evaluated to understand its mechanism.

Results

This study identified a candidemia rate of 7.3% (58/789). Age and gender analysis revealed higher Candida colonization rates in individuals above 60 years old and females. Antifungal sensitivity profiling indicated notable resistance to fluconazole (27.59%) and voriconazole (25.86%). Synthesizing G-CuNPs using E. milii des moul extract represents a novel approach exhibiting significant fungicidal potency against clinically isolated C. albicans, supporting potential therapeutic applications.

Conclusion

the findings concluded that synthesized G-CuNPs have tremendous potential to battle against medical device-borne infections by surface coating.

Mechanistic insights of Euphorbia milii des moul mediated biocompatible and non-cytotoxic, antimicrobial nanoparticles: an answer to multidrug resistant bacteria

The emergence of drug-resistant microbial pathogens is a matter of global concern and become more serious if they linked with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). As per World Health Organization statistics, multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens account for between 7 and 12% of the worldwide burden of HAIs. The need for an effective and environmentally sustainable response to this situation is urgent. The primary goal of this study was to create copper nanoparticles that are biocompatible and non-toxic by using an extract of Euphorbia des moul, and then to test these nanoparticles' bactericidal efficacy against MDR strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the biogenic G-CuNPs. It was found that G-CuNPs were spherical in shape, with an average diameter of ~ 40 nm and a charge density of - 21.52 mV. The G-CuNPs fully eradicated the MDR strains at a dosage of 2 mg/ml with 3 h of incubation time. Mechanistic analysis showed that the G-CuNPs efficiently disrupted the cell membrane and damaged the DNA and by generating more reactive oxygen species. Moreover, cytotoxic examination revealed that G-CuNPs displayed < 5% toxicity at 2 mg/ml concentration on human RBCs, PBMCs, and A549 cell lines, suggesting that they are biocompatible. This nano-bioagent is an eco-friendly, non-cytotoxic, non-hemolytic organometallic copper nanoparticles (G-CuNPs) with a high therapeutic index for possible use in the prevention of biomedical device-borne infections by preparing an antibacterial layer on indwelling medical devices. However, its potential clinical use has to be further studied through in vivo testing with an animal model.

Phytochemical investigations, in-vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial potential, and in-silico computational docking analysis of Euphorbia milii Des Moul

Euphorbia milii Des Moul is a deciduous bush indigenous to Madagascar. The present study aims to investigate the presence of the phytochemical, in-vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial potency, and in-silico computational analysis of ethanolic and aqueous preparations of E. milii leaves and flowers. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts were tested for in-vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH, H2O2, TAC, and FRAP assay. In addition, antimicrobial potentials were assayed by agar well diffusion technique against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans for various clinical isolates. The qualitative phytochemical analysis results confirmed the existence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and tannins. The quantitative analysis elicits the availability of a magnificent number of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, flavonols, and tannins. Among all the extracts, aqueous extracts of leaves exhibited potent antioxidant activity in DPPH, FRAP, and H2O2 assay with the IC50 value of 30.70, 60.05, and 82.92µg/mL, respectively. In agar well diffusion assay, all extracts displayed zone of inhibition varies from 2-24mm at different concentrations ranging from 10-320 mg/mL, whereas no activity was observed against Candida albicans. Furthermore, docking-based computational analysis has revealed that beta-sitosterol and taraxerol are the plant's active constituents responsible for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Research findings suggest that the E. milii plant has an excellent prospect for further study for its extended antioxidative and antimicrobial potential. It could be a natural source of various ailments and can be utilized to develop new drugs.