Application and evaluation the effect of metallic nanoparticles on metronidazole performance as a novel technology

Abstract

Objective: The scope of this study is to evaluate the influence of metal nanoparticles application on pharmaceutical properties and biologic activity of an antifungal drug, metronidazole (MTZ). Method: Metal nanoparticles used in the study, bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) used as the nanocarriers for metronidazole (MTZ), and they were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method. Drug loading on Bi2S3 nanoparticles, lattice property alteration, and average particle sizes were evaluated using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD). The evaluation of the release of MTZ from Bi2S3 nanoparticles was carried out using USP type II rotating puddle apparatus. The antimicrobial activity of MTZ before and after loading was carried out by the disc diffusion method against two aerobic gram +ve and one aerobic gram –ve bacteria, in addition to two fungi. Result: This study showed a successful loading process as well as the particles size reduction of MTZ after loading on Bi2S3 nanoparticles. In vitro release study showed a significant* increase in solubility and dissolution of MTZ after loading on Bi2S3 nanoparticles. MTZ showed a significant* increase in antibacterial (against gram +ve aerobic staphylococcus aureus and bacillus subtilis) and antifungal (Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis) activities after loading process. Conclusion: Nanotechnology was applied successfully to improve both, solubility and biologic activity of the model drug used, metronidazole (MTZ).