Facile synthesis of antibiotic encapsulated biopolymeric okra mucilage nanoparticles: molecular docking, in vitro stability and functional evaluation

Abdulla Al Masum, Kunal Pal, Ishita Saha, Deblina Ghosh, Shubham Roy, Sougata Ghosh Chowdhury, Md Maidul Islam and Parimal Karmakar

Abstract

The biocompatible, biodegradable okra mucilage nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesised by a facile synthesis process and characterised by employing XRD, FTIR and FESEM studies. These were then encapsulated with the antibiotics (streptomycin, ampicillin and kanamycin) which are widely used in several pathogenic conditions. These antibiotics are susceptible to functional degradation upon exposure to adverse conditions like high temperature, UV, etc. The encapsulation of antibiotics within the mucilage matrix was testified with the aid of x-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, UV-vis, dynamic light scattering (DLS) as well as molecular docking estimations. These mucilage nanoparticles were then encapsulated with antibiotics when applied against bacterial strains like Escherichia coli DH5α and Staphylococcus aureus. The results demonstrated augmented bactericidal activity in comparison to the bare form of antibiotics. Our results further depict that the encapsulation of these antibiotics within the mucilage nanoparticles enhances their functionalities and also stabilises these antibiotics in conditions like elevated temperature, UV exposure and prolonged storage. Additionally, Rhodamine-B a fluorescent dye was encapsulated within the okra mucilage nanoparticles and is readily internalised by the human lung fibroblast cells, WI-38. Thus, our findings implicate that these synthesised MNPs are truly multi and can emerge as a promising therapeutic intervention in the coming years.