Synthesis and effect of silver nanoparticles on the antibacterial activity of different antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Nanomedicine. 2007 Jun;3(2):168-71. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2007.02.001. Epub 2007 Apr 30.

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have been known to have inhibitory and bactericidal effects. Resistance to antimicrobial agents by pathogenic bacteria has emerged in recent years and is a major health problem. The combination effects of Ag-NPs with the antibacterial activity of antibiotics have not been studied. Here, we report on the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles of silver using a reduction of aqueous Ag(+) ion with the culture supernatants of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Also in this article these nanoparticles are evaluated for their part in increasing the antimicrobial activities of various antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activities of penicillin G, amoxicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and vancomycin were increased in the presence of Ag-NPs against both test strains. The highest enhancing effects were observed for vancomycin, amoxicillin, and penicillin G against S. aureus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Combinations
  • Escherichia coli / cytology
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Particle Size
  • Silver / administration & dosage*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / cytology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Silver