Volume 32, Issue 1 (3-2025)
RJMS 2025, 32(1): 1-12 |
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Ghanbary F, Setamdideh D, Naserzadeh P, Javad Mosavi A. Investigating the Effects of Graphene Nanostructures Against Pathogenic Microbes, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus. RJMS 2025; 32 (1) :1-12
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-8394-en.html
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-8394-en.html
PhD, Department of Chemistry, MAH.C. Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, Iran , ghanbary83@yahoo.com
Abstract: (1717 Views)
Background & Aims: The past two decades have witnessed a significant and ongoing threat to global public health posed by emerging infectious diseases. A critical aspect of combating these infections lies in understanding the remarkable adaptability of bacteria. These microscopic organisms possess an extraordinary ability to evolve and develop numerous mechanisms to evade the effects of antimicrobial drugs, often with remarkable speed and efficiency. This evolutionary arms race has led to a alarming rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), rendering many conventional antibiotics less effective, or even completely ineffective, against common bacterial pathogens. A prime example of this escalating crisis is the widespread resistance observed in Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium notorious for causing a range of infections, from mild skin infections to life-threatening conditions like sepsis and endocarditis. A staggering 40% to 60% of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated in hospitals across the United States and the United Kingdom are now resistant to methicillin (MRSA). What’s more concerning is that a significant proportion of these MRSA strains exhibit multidrug resistance, meaning them are resistant to several other classes of antibiotics as well. This widespread resistance poses immense challenges to clinical practice, limiting treatment options and increasing morbidity and mortality rates. The unfortunate reality is that many of the antibiotics currently in use were developed decades ago. Consequently, bacteria have had ample time to evolve sophisticated protective mechanisms within their genomes, allowing them to circumvent the intended antibacterial action of these older drugs. This inherent adaptability of bacteria has significantly diminished the efficacy of many conventional antimicrobial agents. The growing problem of microbial resistance to common antibiotics has thus intensified global efforts to discover and synthesize novel antimicrobial agents that can serve as effective replacements for existing medications. The urgency for new therapeutic strategies is paramount to safeguard public health and ensure that treatable infections do not become untreatable. In this context, nanomedicine has emerged as a promising field, offering innovative approaches focused on improving the targeted delivery of antimicrobial drugs. Nanoparticles, due to their unique physical and chemical properties, hold immense potential in this regard. They can be engineered to encapsulate antimicrobial agents and selectively release their payload upon encountering pathogenic microorganisms, thereby increasing the local concentration of the drug at the site of infection and minimizing systemic side effects. This targeted delivery mechanism not only enhances the therapeutic efficacy but also potentially reduces the selective pressure that drives the development of resistance. Among the various types of nanoparticles, cellulose-based nanoparticles have garnered significant attention, and they are a key focus of the present study. Nanocellulose, derived from abundant and renewable natural resources, boasts a compelling combination of properties that make it an attractive candidate for biomedical applications, particularly in the realm of antimicrobial therapy. These properties include excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and renewability, making them environmentally friendly and safe for biological systems. Furthermore, nanocellulose exhibits a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, which provides ample sites for functionalization and drug loading. Its remarkable mechanical strength and the ease with which its surface can be functionalized further enhance its utility. Importantly, numerous reports have highlighted the inherent antimicrobial properties of nanocellulose against several bacterial strains, positioning it as a potent and versatile antimicrobial agent in its own right, even before incorporating other active compounds.
Methods: In this pioneering study, we embarked on a systematic investigation to synthesize a cellulose-graphene nanocomposite from cost-effective and readily available sources. The primary objective was to thoroughly evaluate its antibacterial activity against a panel of human pathogenic bacteria. The structural characteristics of the synthesized cellulose-graphene nanocomposite were meticulously elucidated using two advanced analytical techniques. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to identify the functional groups present and confirm the successful formation of the composite by analyzing vibrational modes of the chemical bonds. Simultaneously, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to visualize the morphology, size, and dispersion of the nanocomposite particles, providing crucial insights into their physical structure and potential interactions with bacterial cells. Following the thorough structural characterization, the antibacterial efficacy of the synthesized nanocomposite was rigorously assessed using the agar diffusion method, a well-established and widely accepted technique in microbiology. This method involves placing discs impregnated with the test substance onto agar plates inoculated with specific bacterial strains. The formation of a zone of inhibition around the disc, where bacterial growth is suppressed, indicates antimicrobial activity. For a comprehensive comparative analysis, the antibacterial activity of the cellulose-graphene nanocomposite was directly compared with that of silver nitrate nanoparticles, a well-known antimicrobial agent, under identical experimental conditions. This direct comparison allowed us to ascertain the relative potency and effectiveness of our novel nanocomposite.
Results: The results of our comprehensive investigation were highly encouraging and demonstrably showcased the potent antibacterial activity of the cellulose-graphene nanocomposite. The nanocomposite exhibited significant antibacterial effects against all the bacterial strains tested in this study. What was particularly noteworthy was that, in every single instance, the antibacterial activity demonstrated by the cellulose-graphene nanocomposite surpassed that of silver nitrate nanoparticles. This superior performance underscores the potential of our novel composite as a more effective antimicrobial agent compared to a conventional and widely used alternative. The consistent and robust antibacterial action across various bacterial strains highlights its broad-spectrum efficacy.
Conclusion: Based on these compelling findings, we confidently conclude that cellulose-graphene nanocomposites hold immense promise for future biomedical applications, particularly in the development of advanced wound dressings and burn treatments. Their superior antibacterial activity, coupled with the potential for minimal toxicity, positions them as a highly viable and potentially safer alternative to silver nanoparticles, which are currently a common component in many wound care products. The prospect of replacing silver nanoparticles with a more effective and less toxic material like cellulose-graphene nanocomposites represents a significant advancement in the field of antimicrobial biomaterials. This research paves the way for the development of innovative and highly effective therapeutic strategies to combat bacterial infections, ultimately improving patient outcomes and addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. The future appears bright for these versatile nanocomposites in revolutionizing wound care and infection control.
Methods: In this pioneering study, we embarked on a systematic investigation to synthesize a cellulose-graphene nanocomposite from cost-effective and readily available sources. The primary objective was to thoroughly evaluate its antibacterial activity against a panel of human pathogenic bacteria. The structural characteristics of the synthesized cellulose-graphene nanocomposite were meticulously elucidated using two advanced analytical techniques. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to identify the functional groups present and confirm the successful formation of the composite by analyzing vibrational modes of the chemical bonds. Simultaneously, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to visualize the morphology, size, and dispersion of the nanocomposite particles, providing crucial insights into their physical structure and potential interactions with bacterial cells. Following the thorough structural characterization, the antibacterial efficacy of the synthesized nanocomposite was rigorously assessed using the agar diffusion method, a well-established and widely accepted technique in microbiology. This method involves placing discs impregnated with the test substance onto agar plates inoculated with specific bacterial strains. The formation of a zone of inhibition around the disc, where bacterial growth is suppressed, indicates antimicrobial activity. For a comprehensive comparative analysis, the antibacterial activity of the cellulose-graphene nanocomposite was directly compared with that of silver nitrate nanoparticles, a well-known antimicrobial agent, under identical experimental conditions. This direct comparison allowed us to ascertain the relative potency and effectiveness of our novel nanocomposite.
Results: The results of our comprehensive investigation were highly encouraging and demonstrably showcased the potent antibacterial activity of the cellulose-graphene nanocomposite. The nanocomposite exhibited significant antibacterial effects against all the bacterial strains tested in this study. What was particularly noteworthy was that, in every single instance, the antibacterial activity demonstrated by the cellulose-graphene nanocomposite surpassed that of silver nitrate nanoparticles. This superior performance underscores the potential of our novel composite as a more effective antimicrobial agent compared to a conventional and widely used alternative. The consistent and robust antibacterial action across various bacterial strains highlights its broad-spectrum efficacy.
Conclusion: Based on these compelling findings, we confidently conclude that cellulose-graphene nanocomposites hold immense promise for future biomedical applications, particularly in the development of advanced wound dressings and burn treatments. Their superior antibacterial activity, coupled with the potential for minimal toxicity, positions them as a highly viable and potentially safer alternative to silver nanoparticles, which are currently a common component in many wound care products. The prospect of replacing silver nanoparticles with a more effective and less toxic material like cellulose-graphene nanocomposites represents a significant advancement in the field of antimicrobial biomaterials. This research paves the way for the development of innovative and highly effective therapeutic strategies to combat bacterial infections, ultimately improving patient outcomes and addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. The future appears bright for these versatile nanocomposites in revolutionizing wound care and infection control.
Keywords: Nanocomposite, Cellulose-graphene, Antibacterial activity, Methicillin-resistant, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus aeruginosa
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