title: Antimicrobial Properties of Microparticles Based on Carmellose Cross-Linked by Cu(2+) Ions.
abstract: Carmellose (CMC) is frequently used due to its high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low immunogenicity for development of site-specific or controlled release drug delivery systems. In this experimental work, CMC dispersions in two different concentrations (1% and 2%) cross-linked by copper (II) ions (0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2.0 M CuCl₂) were used to prepare microspheres with antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, both frequently occurring pathogens which cause vaginal infections. The microparticles were prepared by an ionotropic gelation technique which offers the unique possibility to entrap divalent copper ions in a CMC structure and thus ensure their antibacterial activity. Prepared CMC microspheres exhibited sufficient sphericity. Both equivalent diameter and copper content were influenced by CMC concentration, and the molarity of copper (II) solution affected only the copper content results. Selected samples exhibited stable but pH-responsive behaviour in environments which corresponded with natural (pH 4.5) and inflamed (pH 6.0) vaginal conditions. All the tested samples exhibited proven substantial antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and yeast Candida albicans. Unexpectedly, a crucial parameter for microsphere antimicrobial activity was not found in the copper content but in the swelling capacity of the microparticles and in the degree of CMC surface shrinking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého Třída 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kejdušová
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého Třída 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vysloužil
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého Třída 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Kateřina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kubová
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Vladimír
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Celer
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Magdaléna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krásna
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Alena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pechová
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Věra
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vyskočilová
authors.affiliation: Tescan, Libušina Třída 863/21, 623 00 Brno-Kohoutovice, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Vratislav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Košťál
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008863:Microspheres
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003300:Copper; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; C029892:cupric chloride