Effective combinations of silver nanoparticles and antimicrobial peptides against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

BACKGROUND: The problem of constantly growing resistance of microorganisms to the antibiotics used forces scientists to constantly search for new antimicrobial agents.

AIM: To study the antimicrobial activity and toxicity of silver nanoparticles and antimicrobial peptides with a β-hairpin structure, and to characterize their combined antimicrobial action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles and antimicrobial peptides against antibiotic-resistant bacteria was assessed by serial dilutions in a liquid nutrient medium, and the combined antimicrobial activity – by serial dilutions according to the “checkerboard” method. The toxicity of the substances to human cells was determined using a hemolytic test.

RESULTS: The studied silver nanoparticles have pronounced antimicrobial activity and low toxicity to human erythrocytes. Silver nanoparticles containing acetylcysteine are more active against gram-negative bacteria than against gram-positive ones. Synergism of the antibacterial action was detected with the combined use of silver nanoparticles stabilized with sodium oleate and protegrin-1. A synergistic antimicrobial effect was also noted for combinations of silver nanoparticles containing acetylcysteine with protegrin-1, ricaecilin and shuchin-4.

CONCLUSIONS: Effective combinations of silver nanoparticles and antimicrobial peptides have been identified that act synergistically against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, i.e. they multiply the effect of each other. These combinations can be used as prototypes for the development of antibacterial drugs.