Silver-dendrimer nanocomposite as emerging therapeutics in anti-bacteria and beyond

To develop next-generation nanomedicine, theranostic nanotherapeutic strategies are increasingly being emphasized. In recent years, it is observed that the effective lifetime of anti-bacterial and anti-cancer agent is diminishing, which undermines the economic incentives necessary for clinical development and therapeutic applications. Thus, novel formulations ought to not only kill drug resistant strains and cancerous cells but also inhibit their formation. Recently, metallic nanoparticles [for example- silver (Ag) nanoparticles] have been widely investigated for their biomedical applications. The so-called applications necessitate the inclusion of these nanoparticles inside polymeric matrices (for example- dendrimer) leading to chemical functionalization of the metallic nanoparticles. Silver and silver nanoparticles' antibacterial activity has already been well established over years. Dendrimers due to their homogeneous highly branched structure and uniform composition are perfectly suitable for the inclusion of silver nanoparticles [Ag NPs]. Recently, the increasing trend in the development of Ag-dendrimer nanocomposites is attributed to the excellent antibacterial activity of Ag as well as dendrimer's unique properties like variable functional terminal ends and potential antibacterial effect necessarily. This review provides an informative overview regarding the numerous aspects of bactericidal and other biomedical applications of Ag-dendrimer nanocomposites, particularly emphasizing analysis of existing research and prospective worth to the pharmaceutical sector in future.

Cotton Fabric Modified with a PAMAM Dendrimer with Encapsulated Copper Nanoparticles: Antimicrobial Activity

A new methodology for modifying textile materials with dendrimers containing nanoparticles was developed. This involved a combination of eosin Y and N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) for reducing the copper ions in the dendrimer complex by enabling a photochemical reaction under visible light and ambient conditions. The conversion of copper ions into nanoparticles was monitored using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by performing colorimetric, fluorescence, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies. Regardless of the concentration of the photoinitiator eosin Y, it discolored completely upon illumination. Three types of cotton fabrics were compared as antimicrobial materials against Bacillus cereus. One of the fabrics was dyed with a first-generation PAMAM dendrimer which had been functionalized with eight 1,8-naphthalimide fluorophores. Another fabric was dyed with a dendrimer-copper complex, and the third was treated by conversion of the complex into copper nanoparticles encapsulated into the dendrimer. An enhancement in the antimicrobial activity of the textiles was achieved at higher dendrimer concentrations, under illumination with visible light. The fabric modified with the copper nanoparticles encapsulated inside the dendrimer exhibited the best antibacterial activity because it had two photosensitizers (PS), as both 1,8-naphthalimide fluorophores and copper nanoparticles were contained in the dendrimer molecules. The presence of oxygen and suitable illumination activated the photosensitizers to generate the reactive oxygen species (singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and other oxygenated products, e.g., anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen peroxide) responsible for destroying the bacteria.

Nano-enabled strategies to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a threat to global health because of limited treatments. MRSA infections are difficult to treat due to increasingly developing resistance in combination with protective biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Nanotechnology-based research revealed that effective MRSA treatments could be achieved through targeted nanoparticles (NPs) that withstand biological films and drug resistance. Thus, the principal aim towards improving MRSA treatment is to advance drug delivery tools, which successfully address the delivery-related problems. These potential delivery tools would also carry drugs to the desired sites of therapeutic action to overcome the adverse effects. This review focused on different types of nano-engineered carriers system for antimicrobial agents with improved therapeutic efficacy of entrapped drugs. The structural characteristics that play an essential role in the effectiveness of delivery systems have also been addressed with a description of recent scientific advances in antimicrobial treatment, emphasizing challenges in MRSA treatments. Consequently, existing gaps in the literature are highlighted, and reported contradictions are identified, allowing for the development of roadmaps for future research.

Insight on the Structure-to-Activity of Carbosilane Metallodendrimers in the Fight against Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms

Biofilm formation is a critical health concern, involved in most human bacterial infections. Combatting this mechanism, which increases resistance to traditional antibiotics and host immune defences, requires novel therapeutic approaches. The remarkable biocide activity and the monodispersity of carbosilane metallodendrimers make them excellent platforms to evaluate the impact of different structural parameters on the biological activity. In this work, we explore the influence of iminopyridine ring substituents on the antibacterial activity against planktonic and biofilm Staphylococcus aureus. New families of first-generation Ru(II) and Cu(II) metallodendrimers were synthesised and analysed, in comparison to the non-substituted counterparts. The results showed that the presence of methyl or methoxy groups in meta position to the imine bond decreased the overall positive charge on the metal ion and, subsequently, the activity against planktonic bacteria. However, it seemed a relevant parameter to consider for the prevention of biofilm formation, if they contribute to increasing the overall lipophilicity. An optimum balance of the charge and lipophilicity of the metallodrug, accomplished through structural design, will provide effective biocide agents against bacteria biofilms.

Structure, thermotropic phase behavior and membrane interaction of N-acyl-β-alaninols. Homologs of stress-combating N-acylethanolamines

β-Alaninol and its derivatives were reported to exhibit interesting biological and pharmacological activities and showed potential application in formulating drug delivery vehicles. In the present study, we report the synthesis and characterization of N-acyl-β-alaninols (NABAOHs) bearing saturated acyl chains (n = 8-20) with respect to thermotropic phase behavior, supramolecular organization and interaction with diacylphosphatidylcholine, a major membrane lipid. Results obtained from DSC and powder XRD studies revealed that the transition temperatures (T_t), transition enthalpies (ΔH_t), transition entropies (ΔS_t) and d-spacings of NABAOHs show odd-even alteration. A linear dependence was observed in the values of ΔH_t and ΔS_t on the acyl chain length, independently for even and odd acyl chains in both dry and hydrated states; further, the even chainlength molecules exhibited higher values than the odd chainlength series. The crystals structures of N-lauroyl-β-alaninol and N-palmitoyl-β-alaninol, solved in monoclinic system in the P21/c space group, show that the NABAOHs adopt a tilted bilayer structure. A number of NH⋯O, O-H⋯O, and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl and amide moieties of the head groups of NABAOH molecules belonging to adjacent and opposite layers stabilize the overall supramolecular organization of the self-assembled bilayer system. DSC studies on the interaction of N-myristoyl-β-alaninol (NMBAOH) with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) indicate that these two lipids mix well up to 45 mol% NMBAOH, whereas phase separation was observed at higher contents of NMBAOH. Transmission electron microscopic studies reveal that mixtures containing 20-50 mol% NMBAOH form stable ULVs of 90-150 nm diameter, suitable for use in drug delivery applications.

Impact of using pyronaridine tetraphosphate- based combination therapy in the treatment of babesiosis caused by Babesia bovis, B. caballi, and B. gibsoni in vitro and B. microti in mice

The inhibitory efficacies of pyronaridine tetraphosphate (PYR), when used in combination with two novel and potent antibabesial drugs; clofazimine (CF), and MMV396693 were evaluated in the current study against the growth of Babesia bovis, B. caballi, and B. gibsoni in vitro and B. microti in mice. The in vitro study against the selected parasites was performed using combination of PYR with either CF or MMV396693 in ratios ranged from 0.75:0.75 to 0.25:0.25. Combined application of PYR/MMV396693 revealed additive and indifferent interactions against the in vitro growth of all screened Babesia parasites. PYR in combination with CF, achieved indifferent and antagonistic interactions with all used concentration ratios against the in vitro growth of B. bovis and B. caballi. Treatment with PYR-CF combination therapy caused significant inhibition (P < 0.05) of the fluorescence values at days 12, 14, 16, 18, and 22 p.i. in comparison with control mice. Of note, treatment with combination therapy exhibited inhibition in the growth of B. microti (23.16%) greater than those caused by PYR alone. In summary, the obtained results highlight the improvement in the in vivo antibabesial efficacy of PYR when used in combination with CF rather than using PYR alone but such inhibition is still lower than those caused by either DA or CF monotherapies.

Supercritical carbon dioxide application using hydantoin acrylamide for biocidal functionalization of polyester

Biocidal functionalization in polyester fibers is a really tough challenge because of the lack of tethering groups. This study indicated supercritical carbon dioxide application using N-halamine would be an alternative solution for obtaining antibacterial function on the polyester surface. Firstly, N-(2-methyl-1-(4-methyl-2,5-dioxo-imidazolidin-4 yl)propan-2 yl)acrylamide was synthesized and applied to the polyester in supercritical carbon dioxide medium, at 120 °C, 30 MPa for different processing times. The addition of N-halamine on the surface significantly brought antibacterial activity against E. coli. The chlorine loadings showed that 6 -h exposure time was critical to obtain sufficient antibacterial activity. This treatment caused a reasonable and tolerable loss in color and mechanical properties. But, the durability to abrasion, stability, and rechargeability of oxidative chlorine, and the durability of N-halamine on the surface were remarkably good. Conclusively, it can be available to work on polyester surfaces with resource-efficient and eco-friendly supercritical carbon dioxide technique for getting more functionalization and modification.

Combinations of Antimicrobial Polymers with Nanomaterials and Bioactives to Improve Biocidal Therapies

The rise of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms has become a critical issue in recent years and has promoted substantial research efforts directed to the development of more effective antimicrobial therapies utilizing different bactericidal mechanisms to neutralize infectious diseases. Modern approaches employ at least two mixed bioactive agents to enhance bactericidal effects. However, the combinations of drugs may not always show a synergistic effect, and further, could also produce adverse effects or stimulate negative outcomes. Therefore, investigations providing insights into the effective utilization of combinations of biocidal agents are of great interest. Sometimes, combination therapy is needed to avoid resistance development in difficult-to-treat infections or biofilm-associated infections treated with common biocides. Thus, this contribution reviews the literature reports discussing the usage of antimicrobial polymers along with nanomaterials or other inhibitors for the development of more potent biocidal therapies.

Anti-Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nanoantibiotics

Nanoparticle-based antibiotic constructs have become a popular area of investigation in the biomedical sciences. Much of this work has pertained to human diseases, largely in the cancer therapy arena. However, considerable research has also been devoted to the nanochemistry for controlling infectious diseases. Among these are ones due to bacterial infections, which can cause serious illnesses leading to death. The onset of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) infections such as those caused by the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus has created a dearth of problems such as surgical complications, persistent infections, and lack of available treatments. In this article, we set out to review the primary literature on the design and development of new nanoparticle materials for the potential treatment of S. aureus infections, and areas that could be further expanded upon to make nanoparticle antibiotics a mainstay in clinical settings.

Antibacterial and antifungal properties of dendronized silver and gold nanoparticles with cationic carbosilane dendrons

Water soluble silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) capped with cationic carbosilane dendrons have been synthesized by direct reaction in water of dendrons, silver precursor and a reducing agent. These nanoparticles have been characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), elemental analysis, and zeta potential (ZP). The antibacterial and antifungal properties of the cationic dendrons and dendronized AgNPs and AuNPs with these dendrons have been evaluated against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial -including resistant strains- and yeast strains, respectively. The results stand out for the activity of AgNPs covered with first generation dendron compared with this free dendron and corresponding dendronized AuNPs.

Solid lipid nanoparticles of clotrimazole silver complex: An efficient nano antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA

New and effective strategies to transform current antimicrobials are required to address the increasing issue of microbial resistance and declining introduction of new antibiotic drugs. In this context, metal complexes of known drugs and nano delivery systems for antibiotics are proving to be promising strategies. The aim of the study was therefore to synthesize a silver complex of clotrimazole and formulate it into a nano delivery system for enhanced and sustained antibacterial activity against susceptible and resistant Staphylococcus aureus. A silver complex of clotrimazole was synthesized, characterized and further encapsulated into solid lipid nanoparticles to evaluate its antibacterial activity against S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). An in vitro cytotoxicity study was performed on HepG2 cell lines to assess the overall biosafety of the synthesized clotrimazole silver complex to mammalian cells, and was found to be non-toxic to mammalian cells (cell viability >80%). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of clotrimazole and clotrimazole-silver were 31.25 and 9.76 μg/mL against S. aureus, and 31.25 and 15.62 against MRSA, respectively. Clotrimazole SLNs exhibited MIC values of 104 and 208 μg/mL against both MSSA and MRSA at the end of 18 and 36 h, respectively, but thereafter completely lost its antibacterial activity. Clotrimazole-silver SLNs had an MIC value of 52 μg/mL up to 54 h, after which the MIC value was 104 μg/mL against both strains at the end of 72 h. Thus, clotrimazole-silver SLNs was found to be an efficient nanoantibiotic.

Novel dendritic derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids as promising transdermal permeation enhancers for tenofovir

Novel dendritic ester derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids as potential transdermal permeation enhancers.

Transforming linoleic acid into a nanoemulsion for enhanced activity against methicillin susceptible and resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Schematic of formation of linoleic acid nanoemulsion.