Nature-inspired novel drug design paradigm using nanosilver: efficacy on multi-drug-resistant clinical isolates of tuberculosis

Curr Microbiol. 2011 Mar;62(3):715-26. doi: 10.1007/s00284-010-9770-7. Epub 2010 Oct 10.

Abstract

Despite discovery of the pathogen more than 100 years ago, tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major killer disease worldwide. Currently a third of world population is infected and multiple-drug-resistant (mdr) TB registers maximum mortality by a single pathogen. Nanomedicine provides enormous opportunity for developing novel drugs. We have recently demonstrated surface-modified-lipophilic-nanosilica as drug to combat malaria and 100% lethal virus, BmNPV. Nanosilver possesses inherent antibacterial properties, but toxicity is a major concern. We hypothesized that capping with nature-inspired biomolecules, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Poly-n-vinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP) used as blood volume extender, might insure biosafety. BSA-nano-Ag was found to be more stable than PVP-nano-Ag at physiological pH. In this first ever study on clinical isolates collected from TB endemic areas, we report, BSA-nano-Ag act as potent anti-TB drug. Further study with (human serum albumin)-nano-Ag and core-shell-nano-Ag could increase the biocompatibility of oral TB drug formulations without compromising on the efficacy of the drug.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial*
  • Drug Stability
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification
  • Nanoparticles / microbiology*
  • Silver / pharmacology*
  • Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / microbiology

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Silver