Ag@mSiO2@Ag core–satellite nanostructures enhance the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of naringin

Bacterial infections have caused many human diseases, so effective treatment of bacterial infections is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. In this work, a multifunctional therapeutic core–satellite nanoplatform (ASAN NPs) with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties was designed and synthesized. First, mesoporous silica-coated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with different sizes were synthesized via a simplified method that improved the stability and drug-carrying capacity of the Ag NPs. Then, the NPs were loaded with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial naringin. The characterization results showed that the ASAN NPs were successfully synthesized, with an average particle size of 110 ± 15 nm. In vitro antibacterial test results showed that the synergistic effect of Ag NPs and naringin enhanced the antibacterial activity in a dose-dependent manner. The ASAN NPs achieved high-efficiency antibacterial activity by increasing the permeability of the cell membrane, destroying the integrity of the bacteria, and significantly increasing the level of bacterial reactive oxygen species. The in vivo antibacterial results showed that the ASAN NPs had highly effective anti-infective and anti-inflammatory activities and did not show obvious side effects. Thus, ASAN NPs appear to be promising antimicrobial agents with good biocompatibility, potent antibacterial activity, and anti-inflammatory activity.