Synthesis and Characterization of Amoxicillin-Functionalized Ag/AgCl Nanoparticles: A Promising Multifunctional Platform for Next-Generation Nanomedicine.

Abstract

This study synthesized and characterized amoxicillin-functionalized Ag/AgCl nanoparticles (Amoxicillin@Ag/AgCl NPs) for biomedical applications. The nanoparticles were prepared via a coprecipitation method and functionalized with amoxicillin to enhance therapeutic potential. Characterization techniques (X-ray diffraction [XRD], Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy [SEM], and UV-Vis) confirmed successful functionalization and improved physicochemical properties. The crystallite size increased from 17.29 ± 3.44 to 20.47 ± 4.17 nm, while the bandgap widened from 2.33 to 2.40 eV, indicating enhanced electronic interactions. Antioxidant activity was significantly improved, with 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging reaching 97.87% and β-carotene bleaching inhibition at 95.47% (175 μg/mL). The antibiofilm efficacy was notable, with inhibition rates of 90.24% for E. coli (250 μg/mL), 81.47% for S. typhimurium (175 μg/mL), and 87.68% for B. subtilis (250 μg/mL). In enzymatic inhibition studies, Amoxicillin@Ag/AgCl NPs showed neuroprotective potential, inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (93.74% at 160 μg/mL) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) (97.41% at 80 μg/mL), highlighting their potential in Alzheimer's treatment. Additionally, they exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting lipoxygenase (LOX) by 90.47% (120 μg/mL). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the synthesis of Amoxicillin@Ag/AgCl NPs that simultaneously demonstrate strong antioxidant, antibiofilm, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties, underscoring their novelty as next-generation nanomedicines.