Antibacterial Activity of Linezolid against Gram-Negative Bacteria: Utilization of ε-Poly-<span style="font-variant: small-caps">l</span>-Lysine Capped Silica Xerogel as an Activating Carrier

Abstract

In recent times, many approaches have been developed against drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, low-cost high effective materials which could broaden the spectrum of antibiotics are still needed. In this study, enhancement of linezolid spectrum, normally active against Gram-positive bacteria, was aimed for Gram-negative bacteria growth inhibition. For this purpose, a silica xerogel prepared from a low-cost precursor is used as a drug carrier owing to the advantages of its mesoporous structure, suitable pore and particle size and ultralow density. The silica xerogel is loaded with linezolid and capped with ε-poly-l-lysine. The developed nano-formulation shows a marked antibacterial activity against to Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. In comparison to free linezolid and ε-poly-l-lysine, the material demonstrates a synergistic effect on killing for the three tested bacteria. The results show that silica xerogels can be used as a potential drug carrier and activity enhancer. This strategy could provide the improvement of antibacterial activity spectrum of antibacterial agents like linezolid and could represent a powerful alternative to overcome antibiotic resistance in a near future.

Keywords

• antibacterial activity
• linezolid
• mesoporous material
• silica xerogel
• l-lysine%22%2C%22default_operator%22%3A%22AND%22%7D%7D%7D"> ε-poly-<span style="font-variant: small-caps">l</span>-lysine