Author(s):
Zegre, Miguel ; Barros, J. ; David, A. B. ; Fialho, L. ; Ferraz, M. P. ; Monteiro, F. J. ; Caetano, Liliana Aranha ; Gonçalves, L. ; Bettencourt, A.
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/21735
Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa
Subject(s): Biofilm infections; Chitosan; Drug delivery system; Minocycline; Minocycline hydrochloride; Mixed osteomyelitis; Polysaccharide nanoparticles; Poloxamer; Voriconazole; FCT_UIDB/05608/2020; FCT_UIDP/05608/2020
Description
Developing innovative approaches to target osteomyelitis caused by polymicrobial infections remains a significant therapeutic challenge. In this study, monodispersed chitosan nanoparticles co-loaded with antibacterial (minocycline) and antifungal (voriconazole) agents were successfully prepared. Minocycline presented higher encapsulation efficiency as compared to voriconazole. Thermostability analysis suggested interactions between the co-loaded drugs within the dual-delivery system, potentially limiting voriconazole release. The dual-loaded chitosan nanoparticles exhibited significant in vitro anti-biofilm activity, achieving up to a 90% reduction in polymicrobial biofilms of S. aureus and C. albicans. Additionally, the nanoparticles showed cytocompatibility with a human osteoblast cell line. These findings highlight the potential of this dual-delivery chitosan-based nanoparticle system to address a critical gap in osteomyelitis treatment by targeting both bacterial and fungal pathogens.
