Analysis of Ciprofloxacin‐Loaded Nanoparticles (Titania, Silica, and P(MAA‐EGDMA)) for Controlled Drug Release and Improved Antibacterial Effectiveness

Abstract

In this study, spherical silica, titania and poly(methacrylic acid‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (P(MAA‐EGDMA)) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV spectroscopy methods. Ciprofloxacin (CIP) was selected as the drug sample for this study. The loading of CIP onto NPs was accomplished through different methods based on the type of NP used. Although P(MAA‐EGDMA) has higher CIP loading capacity compared to silica and titania nanocarriers, it was observed that the total release amount was less than titania NPs and a littele bit more than silica NPs. The CIP content of NPs was found to be approximately 7 % for both titania and silica, whereas it was observed to be 40 % for P(MAA‐EGDMA). P(MAA‐EGDMA)@CIP released 60ng of CIP over 18 hours, while silica@CIP released 38 ng over the same period. Titania@CIP released 600 ng within 6 hours, showing a tenfold increase compared to the other systems. Interestingly, silica@CIP did not start releasing CIP within 1.5 hours, whereas P(MAA‐EGDMA)@CIP released up to 50 % within the same timeframe. The antibacterial activities of all CIP‐delivery systems were thoroughly examined and compared against a range of bacteria including P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. typhimurium, K. pneumonia, S. epidermidis, S. aureus, B. subtilis, B. cereus, and E. Faecalis. Combining titania with CIP resulted in a decrease in antibacterial effect in most bacteria, except for E. coli and S. Typhimurium, where it notably increased to 10 μg/mL. However, the combination showed effectiveness against other bacteria, albeit with a significant reduction compared to individual substance use. These results highlight titania‘s potential as an antibacterial agent against P. aeruginosa, with a lower MIC value compared to CIP.