Nanohybrids of Silver Particles on Clay Platelets Delaminate Pseudomonas Biofilms

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of novel nanohybrids, composed of silver nanoparticles and nanoscale silicate platelets, to clear Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Materials & methods: The nanohybrids were manufactured from an in situ reduction of silver salts in the silicate platelet dispersion, and then applied to biofilms in vitro and in vivo. Results: In reference to the biocidal effects of gentamycin, the nanohybrids mitigated the spreading of the biofilms, and initiated robust cell death and exfoliation from the superficial layers of the biofilms in vitro. In vivo, the nanohybrids exhibited significant therapeutic effects by eliminating established biofilms from infected corneas and promoting the recovery of corneal integrity. Conclusion: All of the evaluations indicate the high potency of the newly developed silver nanoparticle/nanoscale silicate platelet nanohybrids for eliminating biofilms.

Original submitted 6 June 2012; revised submitted 13 February 2013

Keywords::

• biofilm
• clay
• infection
• keratitis
• silver nanoparticle

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was mainly supported by the National Science Council in Taiwan (NSC 99-2321-B-005-012-MY3 and NSC 100-2120-M-002-006). The research was also funded, in part, by the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, Republic of China under the Aiming for the Top University and Elite Research Center Development Plan. The authors highly appreciate PS Lai for drawing the molecular structure of the nanoscale silicate platelet. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations.

Additional information

Funding

This work was mainly supported by the National Science Council in Taiwan (NSC 99-2321-B-005-012-MY3 and NSC 100-2120-M-002-006). The research was also funded, in part, by the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, Republic of China under the Aiming for the Top University and Elite Research Center Development Plan. The authors highly appreciate PS Lai for drawing the molecular structure of the nanoscale silicate platelet. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.