Nanosized Vancomycin: A New Way to Fight Oral Bacteria

Antibiotic resistance is a big problem. Some bacteria have become tough to treat. Vancomycin is one of the medicines used to fight these infections. It is a glycopeptide antibiotic. It is usually given through a vein. This is because it can't pass through the gut wall easily. This is due to its chemical makeup. This makes it hard to use for oral infections. A new study looked into a better way to use vancomycin. The goal was to make it work for oral use. This could help in treating oral infections and dental issues. The study focused on creating a nanoform of vancomycin. This nanoform was then put into fast-disintegrating oral films. The idea was to make it easier to deliver the medicine. The team used different ratios of Span 40, Span 60, and cholesterol. They also used Kolliphor RH40 and Kolliphor ELP as co-surfactants. They used a microfluidic technique to make the niosomes. These are tiny bubbles that can hold the medicine. The niosomes were tested for size, drug encapsulation efficiency, and antibacterial effectiveness. The team used dynamic light scattering for size, high-pressure liquid chromatography for drug encapsulation, and the agar diffusion method for antibacterial testing. The results showed that the niosomes were small and effective. They could slowly release the vancomycin, which helped fight Gram-positive bacteria. The niosomal formulation was then put into polyvinyl alcohol films. These films were tested for their properties. The oral films showed uniform weight, flexibility, and quick disintegration. This means they can release the medicine fast. The study showed that the microfluidic approach worked well. It could encapsulate vancomycin in surfactant-based niosomal vesicles. This makes it a good option for treating oral infections. It provides a non-invasive and patient-friendly alternative. This could be a promising approach for dental and systemic applications. The study highlights the potential of nanotechnology in medicine. It shows how new methods can improve old treatments. The use of niosomes and oral films could change how we treat oral infections. It could make treatments easier and more effective. However, more research is needed to fully understand the benefits and risks. This is important before it can be widely used.