A novel material based on an antibacterial choline-calixarene nanoassembly embedded in thin films

Abstract

Supramolecular chemistry is one of the current strategies for producing advanced materials. With the aim to develop new Thin-Films with antibacterial activity, we embedded an amphiphilic choline-calix[4]arene possessing antibacterial properties in polymeric Thin-Films based on polyether-co-amide matrix (Pebax®2533). The loading of the calix[4]arene derivative in the film was performed by solution casting. The amount of calixarene additive in the films was in the range of 0.5–5 wt%. The self-supported Thin-Films were characterized by investigating phase miscibility, morphology, spectral properties, and gas transport. The release of the calixarene derivative from the films was studied in a biomimetic medium as PBS (10 mM, pH 7.4). The presence of the additive did not affect the thermal stability of the copolymer, whereas it induced an increase in crystallinity, wettability, and gas permeability of the blend films according to its concentration. The antibacterial activity of the films was evaluated in vitro against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains, representative of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The developed films displayed antibacterial activity against both strains. In particular, Pebax® − 5 wt% Chol-Calix caused within 10 h a reduction in E. coli and S. aureus of 2.57 and 2 log CFU/mL, respectively. The potential toxicity of the films was also tested on mouse embryonic fibroblasts NIH/3T3. Pebax®2533/calixarene derivative combination appears a promising approach for the development of novel flexible antibacterial materials. Graphical abstract

Near-Infrared-Responsive Choline-Calix[4]arene-Gold Nanostructures for Potential Photothermal Cancer Treatment

“…CholCalix-AuNPs consist of two components CholCalix and AuNP whose biocompatibility singularly has been demonstrated. The biosafety of CholCalix-AuNPs is supported by the insignificant toxicity of CholCalix, proved on other cell lines (HeLa cells, fibroblasts, , corneal cells, retinal cells) and animal model of psoriasis, and by the known biocompatibility of AuNPs . As an added value, CholCalix offers the potential advantage to target cancer cells while sparing normal cells.…”

Functionalization of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)-Based Bioplastic with Phloretin for Active Food Packaging: Characterization of Its Mechanical, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities

“…In addition, for the investigation of anti-biofilm properties, after 24 h-incubation the biofilm formed by the tested bacteria on the PHA films was evaluated by biomass measurement. The films were washed with PBS, dried, and stained with 0.1% safranin, as previously reported [30]. The stained biofilms were suspended in 30% acetic acid aqueous solution and the mean optical density at 492 nm (OD 492 ) was measured.…”

Synthesis, Characterisation, and In Vitro Evaluation of Biocompatibility, Antibacterial and Antitumor Activity of Imidazolium Ionic Liquids

“…The massive issue due to the worldwide prevalence of multi-resistant pathogens, the shortage of effective therapies, the lack of successful prevention measures [3], and the residual environmental toxicology of some frequently used chemical biocides [4] have recently stimulated novel research aimed at the design and production of alternative antimicrobial agents. To replace conventional biocides, insure a lower bacterial resistance, and reduce environmental toxicity, new antimicrobial agents, such as essential oils, cationic surfactants, peptides, quaternary ammonium compounds, silver zeolites, ferrocene derivatives, cholinecalixarene nano assemblies and ionic liquids (ILs), have been extensively studied [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Moreover, mortality due to the increasing diffusion of tumours and limitations due to anticancer drugs in their treatment still represent serious concerns.…”