Synergistic Effect of Silver Nanoparticles with Antibiotics for Eradication of Pathogenic Biofilms

BACKGROUND: The increase in nosocomial multidrug resistance and biofilm-forming bacterial infections led to the search for new alternative antimicrobial strategies other than traditional antibiotics. Silver nanoparticles [AgNP] could be a viable treatment due to their wide range of functions, rapid lethality, and minimal resistance potential. The primary aim of this study is to prepare silver nanoparticles and explore their antibacterial activity against biofilms.

METHODS: AgNPs with specific physicochemical properties such as size, shape, and surface chemistry were prepared using a chemical reduction technique, and then characterized by DLS, SEM, and FTIR. The activity of AgNPs was tested alone and in combination with some antibiotics against MDR Gram-negative and Gram-positive planktonic bacterial cells and their biofilms. Finally, mammalian cell cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity were tested using VERO and human erythrocytes.

RESULTS: The findings of this study illustrate the success of the chemical reduction method in preparing AgNPs. Results showed that AgNPs have MIC values against planktonic organisms ranging from 0.0625 to 0.125 mg/mL, with the greatest potency against gram-negative bacteria. It also effectively destroyed biofilm-forming cells, with minimal biofilm eradication concentrations [MBEC] ranging from 0.125 to 0.25 mg/ml. AgNPs also had lower toxicity profiles for the MTT test when compared to hemolysis to erythrocytes. Synergistic effect was found between AgNPs and certain antibiotics, where the MIC was dramatically reduced, down to less than 0.00195 mg/ml in some cases.

CONCLUSION: The present findings encourage the development of alternative therapies with high efficacy and low toxicity.