In-vivo and In-vitro Anti-Acinetobacter baumannii Activity of Citrate-Capped Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are of potential interest because of their effective antibacterial and antiviral activities. Capping agents are used for exhibiting a better antibacterial activity than uncapped Ag NPs. There are very few reports that have shown the usage of AgNPs for in-vivo antibacterial therapy. Citrate-capped silver nanoparticles were synthesized chemically by citrate reduction method; the size of Cit-AgNPs was determined by an atomic force microscope (AFM) and was between 15 -90 nm. Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) isolates were the only sensitive species to Cit-AgNPs. MICs and MBC of Cit-AgNPs were determined by using A. baumannii. The results showed an additive effect of Cit-AgNPs. Four mice groups were infected with a sub-lethal dose of A. baumannii intraperitoneally, IP. The single daily dose of Cit-AgNPs and imipenem plus Cit-AgNPs combination were administered IP. Imipenem and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was used as positive control and negative control, respectively. Interestingly, only the PBS-treated group showed growth of A. baumannii in the liver and spleen of sacrificed mice. Histopathologically, Cit-AgNPs showed antibacterial activity and had an additive effect when combined with imipenem in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the Cit-AgNPs showed dose-dependent activity and the organs differed in the illumination of the toxicity effect of Cit-AgNPs even after high dose administration. In conclusion, Cit-capped AgNPs had antibacterial activity against multiple drug resistant (MDR) A. baumannii but not against K. pneumoniae and E. coli. Cit-capped AgNPs increased the inhibition zone of imipenem in additive effect; the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration of Citcapped AgNPs were relatively low. Cit-capped AgNPs eliminated A. baumannii infection in vivo when it was given alone or in combination with imipenem. The cytotoxicity of Cit-AgNPs was dosedependent and the organs differed in the illumination of the inflammatory effect of Cit-AgNPs after high dose administration. It is not recommended to use Cit-capped AgNPs systemically despite their valuable additive antibacterial effect especially with a high dose and the combination with imipenem, Topical administration needs to be evaluated.