A Simple Synthesis and Microstructure Analysis of Human Peptide LL-37@Gold Nanoparticles (Known as LL-37@AuNPs) Conjugates as Antimicrobials and Substances for Wound Healing.
Subaer. Subaer S; Hartati. Hartati H; Ramadhan. Imam I; Ismayanti. Harlyenda H; Setiawan. Agung A
Key Findings
- A straightforward method was used to attach LL‑37 to gold nanoparticles, producing stable particles about 23 nm in size.
- LL‑37‑gold nanoparticle conjugates showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro.
- Wound‑healing tests showed up to 85% closure by day 12, with higher LL‑37 loading giving faster healing.
Practical Outcomes
- The study shows that LL‑37 on gold nanoparticles could become a powerful topical antimicrobial and wound‑healing agent, but the formulation isn’t ready for DIY use. More safety and efficacy work is needed before it can be turned into a consumer product.
Summary
Researchers made a simple way to stick the natural antimicrobial peptide LL‑37 onto tiny gold particles. The combo stayed stable, killed Staph bacteria in lab tests, and helped skin wounds close faster (85% healed by day 12). However, making and using these gold‑nanoparticle gels isn’t something you can safely do at home yet.
Abstract
The basis of the present study is a straightforward method involving fewer chemical species for conjugating gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 designated as LL-37@AuNPs. Investigating the microstructure characteristics of the resulting materials and their potential as antibacterial and wound-healing substances are the main objectives of this study. Zeta (ζ) potential, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field effect scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-Vis spectrophotometry were used to analyze the physico-chemical properties of LL-37@AuNPs. The magnitude of LL-37's zeta potential and the LL-37@AuNPs show that the specimens are electrically stable and resistant to flocculation and coagulation. The surface plasmon resonance (RPS) of AuNPs, which is positioned at a wavelength of about 531 nm, was found to be unaffected by the presence of the LL-37 antimicrobial peptide. The FTIR data show the functional group characteristics of the LL-37@AuNPs vibration bands, and the XRD diffractogram confirms the formation of the LL-37@AuNPs conjugate nanocomposite. Based on FE-SEM and TEM data, the bulk of AuNPs were found to have a circular shape, with an average size of about 22.88 ± 8.21 nm. It was discovered that the LL-37@AuNPs had a good ability to inhibit <i>S. aureus</i> from growing. The wound-healing percentage reached 85% on day 12 of the trial, significantly greater than the results of the negative controls. LL-37@AuNPs(4) is the sample that had the highest percentage of wound healing between days 3 and 12. Moreover, sample LL-37@AuNPs(4) contains 0.45 µL of LL-37, whereas sample LL-37@AuNPs(2) contains 0.22 µL of LL-37. The faster wound-healing rate in LL-37@AuNPs(4) was believed to be due to a higher concentration of LL-37, which was able to stop <i>S. aureus</i> from developing while suppressing the inflammation surrounding the wound. The study's findings reveal that LL-37@AuNPs might be made using a straightforward process, making them a powerful antibacterial and therapeutic substance. However, before this discovery is applied in the field of medicine, a more thorough investigation is necessary.
Study Information
pubmed
2023
2023-12-16T00:00:00.000Z
10.3390/ma16247675
4
26