A novel green synthesized ZnO-based antimicrobial nanocomposite: synergistic action, in vitro cytotoxicity, and molecular docking studies of ceftazidime, metformin, and chitosan against multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica

The present study demonstrates the novelty of a ZnO-based multicomponent nanocomposite that uniquely integrates CAZ, MTF, and CS. This novel formulation exhibited synergistic antibacterial effects against multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica alongside acceptable in vitro safety. The findings underscore the potential of microbially synthesized nanocomposites as promising candidates for combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and support further preclinical investigations.