Charge-specific and hesperidin loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles: Enhanced antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria

This study successfully synthesized and evaluated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for charge-based antimicrobial delivery systems. The presence and development of MSN particles were verified by UV-Visible spectroscopy, which exhibited distinct peaks that corresponded with prior research. The MSNs, which were examined using HR-TEM (high-resolution transmission electron microscopy) and FE-SEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy), had a spherical shape with an average diameter of 65.0 ± 2.0 nm. They were found to be amorphous, as confirmed by XRD (X-ray diffraction) and SAED (selected area electron diffraction) patterns. The presence of amino, carboxyl, and PEG groups on the surface was confirmed by FTIR, suggesting that the modification was successful. The modified MSNs exhibited differences in hydrodynamic size and surface charge, as evidenced by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential tests. The most efficient loading of hesperidin (Hes) was attained when the ratio of MSN to Hes was 1:10, as determined by UV-Visible spectra. The MSN-Hesperidin with a positive charge displayed the most potent antibacterial action against E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It showed greater effectiveness compared to MSNs with a negative charge, MSNs with no charge, and free Hesperidin. The improved antibacterial efficacy can be ascribed to the efficient interaction between positively charged MSNs and bacterial cell membranes, along with the regulated release characteristics of the MSNs.