Fabrication and Assessment of Metallic Ion–Enhanced Levofloxacin Nanotherapeutics against MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Abstract
The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa necessitates the development of more effective antimicrobial interventions. In this study, cobalt oxide nanoparticles (CoONPs) were synthesized, optimized, and formulated as levofloxacin-loaded nanotherapeutics to improve antibacterial efficacy. CoONPs were prepared using a chemical precipitation technique and optimized at pH 8.0 with a 0.1 M cobalt acetate precursor. The optimized nanoparticles exhibited an average diameter of 80 ± 5 nm and a drug loading efficiency of 74.5%. Comprehensive characterization through UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR analysis, XRD patterns, DLS measurements, SEM imaging, and TEM visualization confirmed successful synthesis and uniform levofloxacin incorporation. The CoONP–Levofloxacin formulation displayed a zeta potential of –25 mV, indicating strong colloidal stability. In-vitro antibacterial studies against MDR P. aeruginosa showed a significantly enhanced antimicrobial response. The CoONP–Levofloxacin nanocomposite achieved a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 µg/mL, compared to 8 µg/mL for free levofloxacin. Disk diffusion assays revealed an inhibition zone of 30 ± 2 mm for the nanoparticle formulation versus 20 ± 1.5 mm for the unmodified drug. Time-kill experiments further demonstrated rapid bactericidal activity, achieving >99.9% bacterial reduction within 6 hours. These findings indicate that cobalt oxide–levofloxacin nanocomposites represent a potent and promising therapeutic strategy for overcoming MDR P. aeruginosa infections.
How to Cite
Madhu Bala, "Fabrication and Assessment of Metallic Ion–Enhanced Levofloxacin Nanotherapeutics against MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa", Vol. 3, Issue 1, 06-04-2025, pp. 162-170.
