Preprint Article Version 1 This version is not peer-reviewed

Exploring Gluconamide-Modified Silica Nanoparticles of Different Sizes as Effective Carriers for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy

Version 1 : Received: 28 October 2024 / Approved: 29 October 2024 / Online: 29 October 2024 (16:23:22 CET)

How to cite: Prieto-Montero, R.; Herrera, L.; Tejón, M.; Albaya, A.; Chiara, J. L.; Fanarraga, M. L.; Martínez-Martínez, V. Exploring Gluconamide-Modified Silica Nanoparticles of Different Sizes as Effective Carriers for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy. Preprints 2024, 2024102336. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.2336.v1 Prieto-Montero, R.; Herrera, L.; Tejón, M.; Albaya, A.; Chiara, J. L.; Fanarraga, M. L.; Martínez-Martínez, V. Exploring Gluconamide-Modified Silica Nanoparticles of Different Sizes as Effective Carriers for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy. Preprints 2024, 2024102336. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.2336.v1

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a consequence of the ability of microorganisms, especially bacteria, to develop resistance against conventional antibiotics hampering the treatment of common infections, is recognized as one of the most imperative health threats of this century. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has emerged as a promising alternative strategy, utilizing photo-sensitizers activated by light to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that kill pathogens without inducing resistance. In this work, we synthesized silica nanoparticles of different sizes (20 nm, 80 nm, and 250 nm) functionalized with the photosensitizer Rose Bengal (RB) and a gluconamide ligand, which targets Gram-negative bacteria, to assess their potential in aPDT. Comprehensive characterization, including dynamic light scattering (DLS) and photophysical analysis, confirmed the stability and effective singlet oxygen production of the functionalized nanoparticles. RB loading was size-dependent, decreasing with increasing nanoparticle diameter. Consequently, the largest nanoparticles (250 nm) displayed insufficient RB surface density for effective aPDT, while the smallest (20 nm) and intermediate (80 nm) particles were more promising. Bacterial assays in E. coli revealed minimal dark toxicity and significant light-activated phototoxicity for the RB-loaded nanoparticles. The addition of gluconamide notably enhanced phototoxic activity, particularly in the smallest nanoparticles (RB-G-20@SiNP), which demonstrated the highest photo-toxicity-to-cytotoxicity ratio. These findings indicate that small, gluconamide-functionalized silica nanoparticles are highly effective for targeted aPDT, offering a robust strategy to combat AMR.

Keywords

Antimicrobial Resistance; Photosensitizer; Photodynamic Therapy; Silica nanoparticles; Rose Bengal; Gram negative; gluconamide; biotargeting

Subject

Chemistry and Materials Science, Biomaterials

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.