Antibacterial impact of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles on uropathogenic Escherichia coli and in vivo assessment of physiological and histological alterations

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) possess various medical potentials that qualify them to be promising antibacterial agents, particularly for uropathogens. The present study investigated in vitro and in vivo antibacterial impact of biosynthesized ZnO NPs against uropathogenic E. coli strain. Values of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ZnO NPs were detected to be 3.2 mg/mL and 3.9 mg/mL, respectively. The in vivo study included twenty-four female albino rats that were divided into four equal groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (infected), group 3 (infected + ZnO NPs), and group 4 (ZnO NPs). The bactericidal efficacy of ZnO NPs (50 mg/Kg) was confirmed by a recovery percentage of 83.3% after the fourth dose and a survival rate of 100% after eight doses. Erythrocytosis and thrombocytopenia were observed in the infected group, while ZnO NPs-administrated groups exhibited normal red blood cells and platelets counts, and a significant increase in white blood cells count. A significant decrease in urea level and a slight increase in liver enzymes were observed in the infected group, unlike ZnO NPs-administrated groups. Moreover, ZnO NPs-administrated groups exhibited a significant decrease in uric acid and glucose levels. The histological sections of vital body organs showed the aggressive bacterial-induced inflammatory response in stomach, liver, spleen, kidney, and heart of the infected group, whereas ZnO NPs-treated group exhibited effective suppression of the bacterial infection.