Dual delivery of mulberry leaf extract and ciprofloxacin via mannitol/ xylitol-coated zein nanoparticles for overcoming antibiotic resistance

초록

The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii poses a major challenge in antibiotic therapy, highlighting the need for advanced delivery strategies. This study investigates the co-encapsulation of ciprofloxacin (CFX) and mulberry leaf (ML) within zein nanoparticles (NPs) coated with mannitol and xylitol. The optimized formulation (F7) exhibited sustained-release profile, ensuring sustained antibacterial efficacy. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays confirmed that F7 displayed stronger antibacterial activity and suppressed bacterial proliferation more effectively against A. baumannii than CFX alone. SEM and CLSM confirmed membrane disruption and biofilm inhibition, supported by nucleic acid and protein leakage assays. Cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility studies indicated reduced toxicity and excellent blood compatibility compared to free CFX. The contribution of ML provided additional antioxidant and antibacterial activity, whereas mannitol and xylitol improved stability and antibiotic penetration. Collectively, these findings suggest that zein-based nanocarriers represent a promising platform to enhance antibiotic efficacy and combat resistance.

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