Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of curcumin-silver nanoparticles with improved stability and selective toxicity to bacteria over mammalian cells

Antibiotic resistance has necessitated search for new antibacterials for combating threat of pathogenic bacteria. Though chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles are a well-known antimicrobial agent, they are toxic to human cells at higher concentrations. Hence in the present study, curcumin-silver nanoparticles (Cur-AgNPs) of size 25-35 nm, were synthesized using curcumin, a phytochemical. These nanoparticles were effective against both Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria and were less toxic to human keratinocytes. They had very low total silver content and high stability. The antibacterial activity of Cur-AgNPs, as studied by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC = 5 mg/L), time kill kinetics and post agent effect, was better than silver nanoparticles (AgNPs, size ae 35 nm, MIC = 20 mg/L). The inhibitory effect of Cur-AgNPs on biofilm formation was also ae 20% more than AgNPs as demonstrated by live-dead imaging and scanning electron microscopy. The cytotoxic test to skin keratinocytes (HaCaT) showed that Cur-AgNPs were toxic at a concentration of 156 mg/L which is much higher than the bacterial MIC (selective toxicity). They also showed anti-inflammatory effect on human macrophages (THP1) by reducing secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha as compared to chemically synthesized AgNPs.