Antibacterial potential of biomaterial derived nanoparticles for drug delivery application

Abstract

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles possess a wide range of medical applications because of their biocompatibility and compositional similarity to bone calcium phosphate mineral. The aim of the present research was the synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles by using a cheap and natural biosource and to determine its role in drug delivery. The synthesized nanoparticles were loaded with vancomycin (drug) to improve the drug’s dissolution rate and its antibacterial activity. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were synthesized by microwave heating technique from eggshells. These particles were characterized by optical and microscopy techniques and were used to load vancomycin-HCl. The in vitro release profile of vancomycin loaded hydroxyapatite was compared with that of pure vancomycin-HCl. The antibacterial activity was explored against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The prepared nanoparticles exhibit hydroxyapatite phases with agglomerated rod-shaped morphology. Through FTIR, the characteristic peaks for HA were observed in treated eggshell powder showing the formation of hydroxyapatite. Loading content and encapsulation efficiency were 23.9% and 95.6% respectively. Moreover, the in vitro release rate of antibiotic loaded hydroxyapatite was increased as compared to antibiotic alone. The zone of inhibition of vancomycin loaded with HA for E. coli was 11.5 ± 0.5 mm and was 15 ± 0.4 mm for S. aureus. Against both bacterial strains, the antibacterial potential of synthesized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles was increased as compared to vancomycin. Based on these results, hydroxyapatite can be synthesized by using eggshells and can serve as a suitable drug delivery system to improve the drug properties.