Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus Using Nanoemulsion-Encapsulated Zinc Phthalocyanine

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant microorganisms have become a significant public health threat, and traditional antibiotics are becoming ineffective. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative that utilizes photosensitizers and light to produce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) that can kill microorganisms. Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) is a promising photosensitizer due to its strong affinity for encapsulation in nanoemulsions and its antimicrobial properties. In this study, nanoemulsion was prepared using Miglyol 812N, a surfactant, and distilled water to dissolve hydrophobic drugs such as ZnPc. The nanoemulsion was characterized by its particle size, polydispersity index, Transmission Electron Microscope and Zeta potential, and the results showed that it was an efficient nanocarrier system that facilitated the solubilization of hydrophobic drugs in water. The use of ZnPc encapsulated in the nanoemulsion produced through the spontaneous emulsification method resulted in a significant reduction in cell survival percentages of gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli by 85% and 75%, respectively. This may be attributed to the more complex cell membrane structure of E. coli compared to S. aureus. This demonstrates the potential of nanoemulsion-based PDT as an effective alternative to traditional antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

Hybrid Zinc Phthalocyanine/PVDF-HFP System for Reducing Biofouling in Water Desalination: DFT Theoretical and MolDock Investigations

“…The information provided can help in understanding the binding affinity and other energetics related to the interaction between a Zn(4-PPOx)4Pc as a ligand and its target. This result corroborates the findings that metallophthalocyanines have a strong affinity for proteins from S. aureus, leading to a potent inhibitory effect, while their affinity for proteins from P. aeruginosa and E. coli is comparatively lower, resulting in weaker inhibition [54,55]. Overall, these findings from a molecular docking simulation emphasize that the predicted structural and chemical properties of the S. aureus protein enable it to form more complex and diverse interactions with Zn(4-PPOx) 4 Pc, making it highly susceptible to inhibition.…”

“…The information provided can help in understanding the binding affinity and other energetics related to the interaction between a Zn(4-PPOx) 4 Pc as a ligand and its target. This result corroborates the findings that metallophthalocyanines have a strong affinity for proteins from S. aureus, leading to a potent inhibitory effect, while their affinity for proteins from P. aeruginosa and E. coli is comparatively lower, resulting in weaker inhibition [54,55].…”

Blue Laser-Activated Silver Nanoparticles from Grape Seed Extract for Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy Against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

“…The microwave heating method is superior to conventional heating for synthesizing AgNPs-GSE due to its consistent production of small, uniform nanoparticles with enhanced antibacterial activity and photodynamic inactivation, which inhibits cellular metabolic processes by interacting with photosensitizer molecules. 31 The critical elements in applying photodynamic inactivation are fourfold: visible light, light from the Near-infrared (NIR), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and a photosensitizer that acts as a light sensitizer. 32 The photoinactivation process necessitates a match between the spectrum of visible light used and the absorption spectrum of the photosensitizer.…”

Interactions of Co(II)- and Zn(II)porphyrin of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridinio)porphyrin with DNA in Aqueous Solution and Their Antimicrobial Activities

“…Inappropriate prescriptions of ineffective medications in the environment and the regular transmission of microorganisms around the world by travelers also pose serious problems . Many epidemiological investigations have demonstrated that in the last 30 years, bacterial resistance to all known classes of conventional antibiotics has significantly grown, particularly in hospitals, rendering some regimens useless. , According to reports, for instance, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus type t002 isolates from hospitals in the United States significantly increased in 2013. , According to reports, the centers for disease control and prevention estimated that 10% of patients treated to American hospitals develop a hospital-acquired infection; many of these patients go on to pass away as a result of their diseases . However, the situation is far worse in countries that are developing, where the infection rate is around 75%. − To combat the increasing number of resistant bacterial strains that have arisen in this century, however, the most recent developments in the search for new antibiotics fall short .…”

“… 30 Many epidemiological investigations have demonstrated that in the last 30 years, bacterial resistance to all known classes of conventional antibiotics has significantly grown, particularly in hospitals, rendering some regimens useless. 31 , 32 According to reports, for instance, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus type t002 isolates from hospitals in the United States significantly increased in 2013. 33 , 34 According to reports, the centers for disease control and prevention estimated that 10% of patients treated to American hospitals develop a hospital-acquired infection; many of these patients go on to pass away as a result of their diseases.…”