Improved antibacterial activity of cephalosporins loaded in magnetic chitosan microspheres

During the present study, we have evaluated magnetic chitosan as a potential drug delivery device, by specifically determining if chitosan could elute antibiotics in an active form that would be efficacious in inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli growth. We have demonstrated that the incorporation of cephalosporins of second, third and fourth generation into magnetic chitosan microspheres can possibly lead to an improved delivery of antibiotics in active forms, probably due to the inherent properties of chitosan.

Graphical abstractPutative mechanism for the improved delivery of the antibiotic in active forms from the chitosan matrix: the positively charged polymeric vehicles intimately interact with the negatively charged bacterial surface, delivering the antibiotic with a higher yield (a) than that reached by the antibiotic alone, dispersed in solution (b).Download high-res image (360KB)Download full-size image