Abstract
BackgroundIncreasing antibiotic resistance continues to focus on research into the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents. Due to its antimicrobial and wound healing-promoting activity, metal nanoparticles have attracted attention for dermatological applications. This study is designed to investigate the scope and bactericidal potential of zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZnFe2O4 NPs), and the mechanism of anti-bacterial action along with cytocompatibility, hemocompatibility, and wound healing properties.ResultsZnFe2O4 NPs were synthesized via a modified co-precipitation method. Structure, size, morphology, and elemental compositions of ZnFe2O4 NPs were analyzed using X-ray diffraction pattern, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In PrestoBlue and live/dead assays, ZnFe2O4 NPs exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on human dermal fibroblasts. In addition, the hemocompatibility assay revealed that the NPs do not significantly rupture red blood cells up to a dose of 1000 µg/mL. Bacterial live/dead imaging and zone of inhibition analysis demonstrated that ZnFe2O4 NPs showed dose-dependent bactericidal activities in various strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Interestingly, NPs showed antimicrobial activity through multiple mechanisms, such as cell membrane damage, protein leakage, and reactive oxygen species generation, and were more effective against gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, in vitro scratch assay revealed that ZnFe2O4 NPs improved cell migration and proliferation of cells, with noticeable shrinkage of the artificial wound model.ConclusionsThis study indicated that ZnFe2O4 NPs have the potential to be used as a future antimicrobial and wound healing drug.
Highlights
Increasing antibiotic resistance continues to focus on research into the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents
In addition to XRD analysis, we further analyzed the formation of the spinel structure of zinc ferrite and its cation distribution was explored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis [51]
ZnFe2O4 NPs synthesized by co-precipitation method are spherical in shape, show little agglomeration, have uniform elemental compositions, and possess all characteristic peaks of spinel ferrite NPs
Summary
Increasing antibiotic resistance continues to focus on research into the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents. This study is designed to investigate the scope and bactericidal potential of zinc fer‐ rite nanoparticles (ZnFe2O4 NPs), and the mechanism of anti-bacterial action along with cytocompatibility, hemocom‐ patibility, and wound healing properties. Since the accidental discovery of penicillin, antibiotics have been used to treat infectious diseases, which has significantly increased life expectancy and reduced. Haghniaz et al J Nanobiotechnol (2021) 19:38 strategies are needed that can effectively treat bacterial infections that are resistant to existing antibiotics [3]. For the management of burn wound infection, new antimicrobial agents that are effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, non-toxic to normal cells, cost-effective, and do not cause bacterial resistance are needed
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