Loading of polymyxin B onto anionic mesoporous silica nanoparticles retains antibacterial activity and enhances biocompatibility

Polymyxin B is a polycationic antibiotic used as the last line treatment against antibiotic-resistant Gram negative bacteria. However, application of polymyxin B is limited because of its toxicity effects. Herein, we used bare and surface modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with an average diameter of 72.29 +/- 8.17 nm as adsorbent for polymyxin B to improve its therapeutic properties. The polymyxin B adsorption onto MSN surfaces was explained as a function of pH, type of buffer and surface charge of nanoparticles, according to the zeta-potential of silica nanoparticles and adsorption kinetics results. The highest value of the adsorption capacity (about 401 +/- 15.38 mg polymyxin B/g silica nanoparticles) was obtained for the bare nanoparticles in Tris buffer, pH 9. Release profiles of polymyxin B showed a sustained release pattern, fitting Power law and Hill models. The antibiotic molecules-loaded nanoparticles showed enhanced antibacterial activity compared to free antibiotic against different Gram negative bacteria. Biocompatibility evaluation results revealed that loading of polymyxin B onto MSNs can decrease the cytotoxicity effects of the drug by reducing ROS generation. Our results suggest that formulation of drugs by adsorption onto MSNs may offer a way forward to overcome the adverse effects of some antibiotics such as polymyxin B without compromising their antimicrobial properties.