Synthesis and antibacterial effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against multi-drug resistant bacteria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The emergence of the global problem of multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDR) is closely related to the improper use of antibiotics, which gives birth to an urgent need for antimicrobial innovation in the medical and health field. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) show significant antibacterial potential because of their unique physical and chemical properties. By accurately regulating the morphology, size and surface properties of AgNPs, the antibacterial properties of AgNPs can be effectively enhanced and become a next generation antibacterial material with great development potential. OBJECTIVE: The detection of the inhibitory effect of AgNPs on MDR provides more possibilities for the research and development of new antimicrobial agents. METHODS: Promote the formation of AgNPs by redox reaction; determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AgNPs to bacteria by broth microdilution method; evaluate the killing efficacy of AgNPs against multi-drug-resistant bacteria by plate counting; evaluate the inhibitory effect of AgNPs on biofilm construction by crystal violet staining; study the drug resistance of bacteria by gradually increasing the concentration of AgNPs; and detect the toxicity of AgNPs to cells by CCK-8 method. RESULTS: AgNPs has a significant bactericidal effect on a variety of drug-resistant bacteria. After exposure to AgNPs solution for 12 hours, the number of E. coli decreased sharply, and S. aureus was basically eliminated after 16 hours. In particular, AgNPs showed stronger inhibition against Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, AgNPs can effectively hinder the formation of bacterial biofilm, and its inhibitory effect increases with the increase of AgNPs solution concentration. When AgNPs is used for a long time, the development of bacterial resistance to it is slow. From the point of view of safety, AgNPs has no harmful effects on organisms and has biosafety. CONCLUSION: AgNPs can inhibit MDR, and the bacteriostatic ability of Gram-negative bacteria is higher than that of Gram-positive bacteria. It can also inhibit the formation of bacterial biofilm, avoid drug resistance and reduce cytotoxicity.