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Polymer-Lipid Hybrid Nanoparticles for Enhanced Gentamicin Efficacy Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose: Antibiotic resistance is a critical global health concern, exacerbated by biofilm formation and the declining effectiveness of conventional therapies. This study investigates polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles (PLNs) as an innovative nanocarrier system to enhance the antibacterial efficacy of gentamicin (Gen) while overcoming its inherent hydrophilicity and poor encapsulation efficiency. Methods: Using an optimized double-emulsification/solvent-evaporation technique, PLNs were designed to improve drug encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and loading capacity (DL%). The resulting formulations (F0, f1, F2, F3, F4) were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and EE%. Transmitted electron microscopy (TEM) provided insights into particle morphology, while antibacterial activity was tested against multiple bacterial strains, including resistant isolates. Results: The optimized formulation (F4) demonstrated favorable characteristics (p≤ 0.05) including, EE% of 42.1± 3.8%, a DL% of 8.0± 0.7%, and uniform small average particle size (143.4± 3.69 nm) and zeta potential − 37.9± 3.1 mV. TEM analysis confirmed Gen encapsulation within the lipid-polymer matrix. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrated that F4 significantly enhanced antibacterial activity (p ≤ 0.05), achieving up to a 160-fold reduction in minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC) against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA-59) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA-78) compared with free Gen. Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential of PLNs as a robust platform for targeted drug delivery, offering a promising strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance. Keywords: polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles, gentamicin, double-emulsification/solvent-evaporation, entrapment efficiency
DOI: 10.2147/nsa.s548941
Authors: Alaa Eldeen Yassin, Faisal Alsuwayyid, Lama Alkhathran, Sabiha Alrouisan, Ghadah Alotaibi, Majd Alyaqub, Weam Alsalman, Raghad Alzahrani, Ibrahim Farh, Majed Halwani, Shmeylan Al Harbi
Institutions: King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Purdue University West Lafayette, King Saud University, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,320
OpenAlex ID: W4417150886
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Cites: 73
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