Novel Synthesis and Characterization of Doxycycline‐Loaded Gold Nanoparticles: The Golden Doxycycline for Antibacterial Applications

Abstract

Doxycycline (DOXY) is a tetracycline antibiotic with a potent antibacterial activity against a wide variety of bacteria. One potential strategy to enhance the penetration and the antibacterial activity of antibiotics is the use of nanotechnology. In this work, an innovative synthesis of stable PEGylated‐gold nanoparticles (PEG‐AuNPs) loaded with DOXY is reported. As far as it is known, this is the first report on the combination of DOXY with AuNPs as polymeric complex. The obtained nanoparticles are fully characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta‐potential, and UV–vis and Raman spectroscopy. The stability and sustained activity of the drug in nanoparticles is determined on a panel of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria in comparison with the native form of the drug. This combined therapeutic agent restores the susceptibility of DOXY and shows an antibacterial activity against major human pathogens.

Toxicity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs): A review

“… Ultrasound aided synthesis: This involves the ultrasound reduction of Au precursor in the presence of 2-propanol. The stabilizing agents used include citrate, disulphide and several dendrimers [ 68 , 69 , 70 ]; [ 71 ]. Laser ablation synthesis: Better results with accuracy and reproducibility have been obtained through laser ablation method, by virtue of size and shape.…”

Drug-Based Gold Nanoparticles Overgrowth for Enhanced SPR Biosensing of Doxycycline

“…Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum drug with its antimicrobial as well as antitumor activities [ 4 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]. PAR-1 is the receptor protein with which doxycycline binds to inhibit the tumor progression [ 6 ].…”

“…Doxycycline is a wide-spectrum drug belonging to the tetracycline family of antibiotics, which has been a drug of choice for treatment of several types of bacterial infections [ 4 ]. Protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) is the member of PARs (protease-activated receptors) family that was identified in 1991 by two independent laboratories during the investigation of thrombin signaling pathway in both hamster and human cells.…”

Outer Membrane Protein‐Coated Nanoparticles as Antibacterial Vaccine Candidates

“…In another study semisynthetic tetracycline like doxycycline was coated with AuNPs. The result showed that after conjugation susceptibility of the doxycycline was enhanced and has better antibacterial potential against many pathogens (Haddada et al 2018 ). The AuNPs were also used with antiprotozoal and antifungal drugs like fluconazoal, Amphotericin B and nystatin and it was observed that these drugs after conjugation with AuNPs were more bioactive against Acanthamoeba castellanii (Anwar et al 2019 ).…”