Nanoparticle-Based Delivery Systems for Antimicrobial Peptides: A Molecular Strategy Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria
Abstract
Nanoparticle-based delivery systems are a potent strategy utilized to enhance the stability and targeting of antimicrobial peptides against multidrug-resistant-bacteria. Peptide antimicrobials have therapeutic potential but their usefulness against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens is undermined by poor bioavailability and therefore it is critical to address this issue by developing delivery systems to realise their full potential. A total of 4 months (December 2024– April 2025), this in vitro experimental study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Ministry of health, Salah Al-deen health department, Samarra Healthcare and primary sector, to test nanoparticles delivery systems for antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. MDR E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa, clinical isolates were reactivated for testing. AMP-loaded nanoparticles were formulated through ionic gelation and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and morphology. The treated group (G2) showed significant results in the properties of the particles and antibacterial activity (on the gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria) compared to the control (G1). G2 has a larger particle size and zeta potential compared with G1 to achieve improved granulation efficiency (95.3% vs 80.5%; P < 0.01). The bactericidal activity was also increased; the inhibition zone was larger in G2 for E. coli (26.5 mm), S. aureus (22.0 mm), and P. aeruginosa, and the difference was significant (P < 0.01). Conclusion; The study implicates that ameliorated properties of nanoparticles forwarded improved encapsulation efficiency and engineered peptide release, yielding better stability of AMPs and precise bacterial targeting, as a consequence mediating enhanced anti-MDR activity.
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