Functionalized Rhodium Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents for Treatment of Drug-Resistant Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Adv Healthc Mater. 2023 Jul;12(19):e2203200. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202203200. Epub 2023 Apr 5.

Abstract

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections reported in outpatients. Drug-resistant bacteria are the major cause of treatment failure and increased mortality rate in patients with SSTIs, posing significant challenges to human health. In this study, new-generation rhodium nanoplates (RhNPs) and glycol chitosan- and polydopamine-functionalized RhNPs (Rh@GCS) are developed for the treatment of drug-resistant SSTIs. RhNPs exhibited favorable antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Ag-resistant MRSA. The modified Rh@GCS exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity and can directly kill various drug-resistant bacteria by increasing the permeability of cell membranes, including gram-positive MRSA and gram-negative multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). Moreover, Rh@GCS effectively inhibited bacterial growth and promoted the healing of skin lesions in MRSA-induced SSTI mouse models. These results suggest that Rh@GCS is a promising nonantibiotic antimicrobial agent for the treatment of drug-resistant SSTIs.

Keywords: antibacterial activity; drug-resistant bacteria; rhodium nanoparticles; skin and soft tissue infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteria
  • Humans
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus*
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Rhodium* / pharmacology
  • Soft Tissue Infections* / drug therapy
  • Soft Tissue Infections* / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Rhodium
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents