Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with Isoniazid and Conjugated with Tuftsine and Evaluation of Their Potential Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

• Grant number: 25/03080-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Rogério Pavan
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Cerqueira Negri
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance constitutes a global health problem as the number of drug-resistant pathogens increases daily. In this scenario, it becomes necessary to research viable alternatives and vehicles that enable the disruption of this resistance and greater treatment effectiveness. In line with the latter point, this project aims to analyze the feasibility of a system of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) loaded with isoniazid (INH) and conjugated with Tuftsine, as well as to evaluate their potential against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The idea for the project arose from the premise of using conjugated peptides (PPCs), as their use has the advantage of restoring the efficacy of conventional drugs and overcoming resistance mechanisms when used in conjunction, in this case, aiding drug penetration into the intramacrophagic environment. To compose the system and ensure greater efficiency, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were chosen, as their capsule would protect the drug from degradation and deactivation and allow for controlled release of the drug into the target cell.