Synergistic Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Biofilms Using Silver Nanoclusters Incorporated into Biodegradable Nanoemulsions
Jungmi Park, Ahmed Nabawy, Jeerapat Doungchawee, Neel Mahida, Kiernan Foster, Teerapong Jantarat, Mingdi Jiang, Aritra Nath Chattopadhyay, Muhammad Aamir Hassan, Dheeraj K. Agrohia, Jessa Marie Makabenta, Richard W. Vachet, Vincent M. Rotello
Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) in bacteria is a critical global health challenge that is exacerbated by the ability of bacteria to form biofilms. We report a combination therapy for biofilm infections that integrates silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) into polymeric biodegradable nanoemulsions (BNEs) incorporating eugenol. These Ag-BNEs demonstrated synergistic antimicrobial activity between the AgNCs and the BNEs. Microscopy studies demonstrated that Ag-BNEs penetrated the dense biofilm matrix and effectively disrupted the bacterial membrane. The Ag-BNE vehicle also resulted in more effective silver delivery into the biofilm than AgNCs alone. This combinacional system featured disruptionof biofilms by BNEs and enhanced delivery of AgNCs for synergy to provide highly efficient killing of MDR biofilms.