Anti-biofilm activity of garlic extract loaded nanoparticles

The emergence and widespread distribution of multi-drug resistant bacteria are considered as a major public health concern. The inabilities to curb severe infections due to antibiotic resistance have increased healthcare costs as well as patient morbidity and mortality. Bacterial biofilms formed by drug-resistant bacteria add additional challenges to treatment. This study describes a solgel based nanoparticle system loaded with garlic extract (GE-np) that exhibits: i) slow and sustained release of garlic components; ii) stabilization of the active components; and iii) significant enhancement of antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity relative to the free garlic extract. Also, GE-np were efficient in penetrating and disrupting the well-established methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms. Overall, the study suggests that GE-np might be a promising candidate for the treatment of chronic infections due to biofilm forming drug-resistant bacteria. Representative 3D images showing anti-biofilm effect of garlic extract loaded nanoparticles (GE-np) and its comparison to equivalent garlic extract (eqGE), mupirocin, blank nanoparticles (blank-np) and medium alone (untreated) on well-established MRSA biofilms. The biofilms were stained using bacterial viability kit [live (green) and dead (red/yellow)]. The scale bars represent 100 μm for all images. [Display omitted]