Enhanced antibacterial effect by antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles: A new strategy for battling bacterial resistance against Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Abstract

Introduction: The recent reoccurrence of gonorrhea in the developed countries has been followed by rise and
spread of gonococcal resistance to fluoroquinolones. The current research is aimed to prolong the contact time
of antibiotics to the surface of the micro-organisms through the formulation of antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles.
Methods: Ionotropic gelation method was used for the preparation of ciprofloxacin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles.
The effect of various factors, including concentration of chitosan, sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) on the different
parameters such as entrapment efficiency, loading efficiency, and drug release was studied. Surface morphology,
particle size, and antimicrobial studies, that is, zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration were
also assessed. Results: The particles prepared under optimal condition of 1.77% Chitosan and 0.2% Sodium TPP
had 96.23nm with polydispersivity index 1. In these particles with 1:1.5 Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride to chitosan,
the entrapment efficiency, and loading efficiency were found to be 74.59% and 78.95%, respectively, with
in vitro drug release of 10.23% in 24 h. Conclusion: The developed ciprofloxacin hydrochloride-loaded chitosan
nanoparticles were found to exhibit effective antimicrobial activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which showed
high resistance toward conventional dosage forms.