Green synthesized silver nanoparticles enhanced gentamicin activity against multidrug-resistant E. coli from diabetic foot infections

Background: The antibiotic resistance has become a major global issue because pathogenic microorganisms resist or reproduce themselves to overcome the effect of these traditional antibiotics. This research aims to enhance the activity of gentamicin antibiotic combined with silver nanoparticles against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Methods: Silver nanoparticles were biogenic synthesized via the reduction of silver nitrate using palm date extract as both a reducing and capping agent. The synthesized nanoparticles were then mixed with gentamicin to form gentamicin-silver nanoparticles. The physicochemical properties of the formulation were investigated in terms of UV-visible spectrum, morphology, particle size distribution and surface charge measurement. Results: Both formulations, silver nanoparticles and gentamicin loaded silver nanoparticles were examined against six species of multidrug-resistant E. coli bacteria isolates isolated from diabetic foot ulcer infections and they proved a significant antibacterial activity in comparison with that of silver nanoparticle suspension and gentamicin solution alone. Conclusion: This research could be considered as a blueprint for the biomedical applications for instance, diabetic foot ulcer infections.