Abstract
Bacterial resistance against the last-resort antibiotic “colistin” is a growing problem worldwide. Novel strategies in the field of nanotechnology for the development of suitable antibacterial drug with minimal toxicities are need of the time. Here we synthesized, Cu2O nanoparticles (Cu2O-NPs) doped with 5% Zn metal ions by adopting solution-phase method using hydrazine reduction in aqueous medium. Antibacterial assays showed a promising activity against colistin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates. Leakage assay, propidium iodide uptake assay, EtBr uptake assay, and LIVE/DEAD® BacLight™ assay showed membrane damaging activity of Cu2O-NPs. Imaging by scanning electron microscopy of NP-treated bacterial cells confirmed membrane damaging potential of used Cu2O-NPs. Toxicity assessment by cell viability assay showed no cytotoxic activity to the HEK cell line. In conclusion, our results suggest that Cu2O-NPs doped with 5% Zn may exert their antimicrobial action by disruption of the bacterial cell membrane and probably generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). We suggest that Cu2O-NPs doped with 5% Zn can be used as effective antibacterial agent.
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