Characterization, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial activity of paeoniflorin-loaded mesoporous silica oxide nanoparticles

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens are emerging as a major health and safety concern worldwide. Nanomaterials and phyto-compounds are become novel antibacterial agents to target MDR pathogens. To increase the efficacy of phyto-compound in the treatment of MDR bacteria, the present work aimed to develop and characterize the paeoniflorin (Pae) loaded silica oxide nanoparticles (Pae-SiO2 NPs). The loading of the Pae on SiO2 NPs and the crystallinity of Pae-SiO2 NPs were determined by FTIR and XRD analysis. The Pae-SiO2 NPs exhibited an average hydrodynamic size of 226 +/- 7.79 d. nm and a zeta potential of 28.4 +/- 4.59 mV. Furthermore, Pae-SiO2 NPs showed a strong antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. In addition, Pae-SiO2 NPs showed lowest cytotoxicity and hemolysis in human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK 293) and red blood cells (RBC), respectively. Overall, the present results revealed that the Pae-SiO2 NPs exhibited a higher antibacterial activity with lesser toxicity to HEK 293 cells and RBC.