Amikacin@SiO2 core@shell nanocarriers to treat pulmonal bacterial infections

• Main Authors: Feldmann, C. (Author), Redinger, N. (Author), Rutschmann, M. (Author), Schaible, U.E (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Royal Society of Chemistry 2023
• Subjects: Amikacin; Anti-solvents; Bacterial infections; Core shell; Dimethylsulphoxides; Drug delivery; Drug load; Mean diameter; Nanocarriers; One-pot synthesis; Particle size analysis; Shells (structures); Silica; Silica shell; Silicon; Sols; Spectroscopic analysis; Synthesis (chemical); X ray powder diffraction
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 AMC@SiO2 core@shell nanocarriers (AMC: amikacin) are realized and contain an exceptionally high drug load of 0.8 mg mg−1 (i.e. 80% AMC of total nanocarrier mass). They are prepared via a solvent-antisolvent approach with AMC nanoparticles formed in a first step, which are then covered and stabilised by a thin silica shell in a one-pot synthesis. In total, the core@shell nanocarriers exhibit a mean diameter of 240 nm with an inner AMC core of 200 nm and an outer silica shell of 20 nm. Subsequent to synthesis, the nanocarriers can be stored in frozen dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and applied directly after warming to room temperature with particle contents of 5 mg mL−1. Size, structure, and composition of the AMC@SiO2 core@shell nanocarriers are evidenced by electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), spectroscopic methods (EDXS, FT-IR, UV-Vis), as well as X-ray powder diffraction and elemental analysis. As proof-of-concept, the AMC release and the activity of the novel nanocarriers are tested against two relevant, difficult-to-treat and notoriously multidrug resistant, bacterial pathogens: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb.) and Mycobacterium abscessus (M.abs.). Colloidal stability, storage stability, high drug load, and activity of the AMC@SiO2 core@shell nanocarriers are promising for, e.g., aerosol-type pulmonal application. © 2023 The Royal Society of Chemistry.