Gentamicin Loaded in Mesoporous calcium carbonate nanoparticles: preparation, characterization, and evaluation of antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus

Background: Gentamicin (GEN), a powerful aminoglycoside antibiotic, is extensively utilized for the treatment of bacterial infections; nevertheless, its clinical application is constrained by limited absorption, a brief half-life, significant adverse effects and the emergence of drug resistance. The creation of drug delivery systems that specifically direct GEN to infection sites while reducing systemic toxicity is crucial for enhancing its therapeutic effectiveness. Objective: To develop and characterize mesoporous calcium carbonate loaded with GEN (MCC/GEN) nanoparticles and investigate antibacterial effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus, a prevalent Gram-positive bacterium. Methods: MCC nanoparticles were developed and incorporated with GEN. The physicochemical properties were studied by zeta potential analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antibacterial efficacy was assessed via an agar diffusion technique. Results: The MCC sample exhibited a zeta potential of –17 mV, which switched to –7.28 mV following GEN loading. FT-IR verified the successful loading of GEN to MCC. SEM demonstrated homogeneous, spherical MCC particles, whereas MCC/GEN particles exhibited a porous surface with an average size of 629±107 nm. The agar well diffusion assay revealed that MCC/GEN nanoparticles shown considerable antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: MCC/GEN nanoparticles showed successful GEN loading, maintained structural integrity, and demonstrated antibacterial activity, supporting their potential as an effective targeted delivery system for treating infection.