Synergistic enzyme inhibition effect of cefuroxime by conjugation with gold and silver

Abstract

We report here the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au-cefur) and silver nanoparticles (Ag-cefur) stabilized with cefuroxime (β-lactam antibiotic), using a classical NaBH₄ reduction method. A mild reducing agent triethylamine was used as well. Nano alloys (AuAg-cefur) stabilized with cefuroxime were also synthesized. Au-cefur and Ag-cefur showed good stability against 1 M NaCl solution, variation in pH and heating. The biological activities of the parent compound, Au-cefur, Ag-cefur and AuAg-cefur were evaluated and compared. These nanoparticles showed various enzyme inhibition properties, while the parent compound (cefuroxime) was evaluated for the first time for urease enzyme inhibition activity. Au-cefur were active for the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase II while Ag-cefur and AuAg-cefur were active against in vitro α-chymotrypsin enzymes. Interestingly the antibacterial activity of nanoparticles was completely lost.