Dual function of Desmidorchis retrospiciens-derived gold nanoparticles as antibacterial and osteoinductive agent for treating osteomyelitis

Introduction Osteomyelitis is a chronic inflammation of bone due to pathogenic infection mainly by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Osteomyelitis can cause severe bone damage and pathologic fractures, which subsequently result in a high physical disability rate. Thus, a therapeutic agent with antibacterial and bone regenerative activities can be effective for managing osteomyelitis. Methods We phyto-fabricated gold nanoparticles using plant extract from Desmidorchis retrospiciens (DR-AuNPs) and examined their antibacterial and osteoinductive activities. The biosynthesis of DR-AuNPs was confirmed with several characterization techniques, including scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Biofilm assays and reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis were used to examine the antibacterial effect of DR-AuNPs. In vitro and ex vivo cell biology assays were used to study the osteoinductive effect of DR-AuNPs. Results DR-AuNPs displayed substantial antibacterial activity against MRSA-induced osteomyelitis by increasing ROS production, membrane leakage, membrane permeability, and disruption of surface structure in the MRSA. Several anti-biofilm assays and electron microscopic studies have demonstrated the efficacy of DR-AuNPs in significantly inhibiting the formation of MRSA biofilm. Interestingly, DR-AuNPs were also found to promote the lineage commitment of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into osteoblasts in vitro and to enhance their capacity for ectopic bone formation in vivo without causing any cell toxicity. Discussion Our data provide green DR-AuNPs with dual antibacterial and osteoinductive activities, making them a promising bioactive agent for managing osteomyelitis.