Cocrystal of Naringenin and Norfloxacin: Crystal Transformation, Solubility, and Antibacterial and Anticancer Activities

Abstract

Drug cocrystals can modulate the physical and chemical properties of drugs, even complement each other’s strengths, and have a synergistic enhancement effect. Here, we reported a drug cocrystal prepared by norfloxacin (NOR) and naringenin (NAR), comprising an antibacterial drug and an antitumor active pharmaceutical ingredient. The cocrystal hydrate obtained by crystal transformation methods enhanced the antibacterial activity of NOR against one Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus), three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Dysentery bacillus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and one fungus (Candida albicans), improved the solubility of NAR, reduced the hygroscopicity of NOR, and enhanced the anticancer activity of NAR against human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231. This combination has potential therapeutic synergy in clinical terms.