JAKARTA – Antibiotic drugs are not always able to eradicate ‘bad’ bacteria in the human body. The ability of bacteria that are increasingly resistant to antibiotics is one of the reasons antibiotic drugs do not work against them.
In order to trace germs to their hideout and eradicate them, a team of researchers from Empa and ETH Zurich developed nanoparticles that use a completely different method of action than conventional antibiotics: When antibiotics have difficulty penetrating human cells, these nanoparticles, because of their small size and structure, are able to penetrate the affected cell membrane. Once there, they can fight off bacteria.
Inge Herrmann and Tino Matter’s team used cerium oxide, an ingredient with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties in the form of its nanoparticles. The researchers combined the nanoparticles with a bioactive ceramic material known as bioglass. Bioglass is in demand in the medical field because it has regenerative properties that are versatile and used, for example, for reconstruction of bones and soft tissues, as quoted from Empa, Friday (23/4/2021).
They then synthesized a nanoparticle hybrid combustion made of cerium and bioglass oxides. These particles have been used successfully as wound adhesives, where several interesting properties can be utilized simultaneously: Thanks to the nanoparticles, bleeding can be stopped, inflammation can be wetted and wound healing can be accelerated.
In addition, the new particles showed significant effectiveness against bacteria, while the treatment was well tolerated by human cells. Recently, a new technology has been successfully patented. The team has now published the results in the scientific journal Nanoscale in the “Emerging Investigator Collection 2021.”
The researchers were able to demonstrate the interactions between hybrid nanoparticles, human cells, and germs using electron microscopy, among many other methods. If the infected cells are treated with nanoparticles, the bacteria inside the cells begin to dissolve. However, if the researchers specifically blocked the absorption of the hybrid particles, the antibacterial effect was lost.
The precise mode of action of the particles is not fully understood. It has been shown that other metals also have antimicrobial effects. However, cerium is less toxic to human cells than, for example, silver. Scientists currently assume that nanoparticles affect bacterial cell membranes, creating reactive oxygen species that lead to the destruction of germs. Since the human cell membrane is structurally different, our cells are not affected by this process.
Researchers think that resistance tends to develop against such mechanisms. “What’s more, the cerium particles regenerate over time, so the oxidative effect of nanoparticles on bacteria can start all over again,” said Empa researcher Tino Matter. In this way, the cerium particles can have a long lasting effect.
Next, the researchers wanted to analyze the interactions of the particles in the infection process in more detail in order to further optimize the structure and composition of the nanoparticles. The aim is to develop a simple and potent antibacterial agent that is effective in infected cells. (E-4)
News source: RRI.co.id.
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