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2000
Volume 26, Issue 8
  • ISSN: 1389-2037
  • E-ISSN: 1875-5550

Abstract

Introduction/Objectives

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are promising antimicrobial agents, but their synthesis often involves toxic reducing agents. To address this, we developed a green synthesis methodology employing an approach for synthesizing AgNPs within self-assembled ultrashort peptide hydrogels through photochemical synthesis, eliminating the need for toxic chemicals.

Methods

A novel tetrapeptide was designed and synthesized to form hydrogels in aqueous solutions. AgNPs were incorporated into the hydrogel photochemical synthesis using sunlight. The hydrogel and AgNPs were characterized through spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The antibacterial efficacy of the AgNP-loaded hydrogel was assessed against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and its wound-healing potential in mammalian cell lines was evaluated.

Results

Among the peptides synthesized, PHG-2 formed a hydrogel at a 1% w/v concentration in aqueous solution. Characterization using the gel inversion assay, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed uniform nanofibril self-assembly. UV spectroscopy and TEM confirmed the formation of AgNPs within the hydrogel. While the peptide hydrogel exhibited moderate antibacterial activity alone, the AgNP-loaded hydrogel demonstrated synergistic antibacterial effects against methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and . A docking study of all the synthesized peptides was performed against FmtA (an enzyme for cell wall synthesis of MRSA) and results were correlated with the obtained docking score. The silver-loaded peptide hydrogel showed a twofold increase in antibacterial activity against MRSA compared to silver nitrate solutions. The hydrogel significantly promoted wound healing in HEK-293T and MCF-7 cells compared to the control.

Conclusion

This study introduces a novel ultrashort tetrapeptide sequence for developing antibacterial agents that are effective against infected wounds while supporting wound healing. Utilizing photochemical synthesis, the green synthesis approach provides an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional methods.

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In-Situ Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticle within Self-Assembling Ultrashort Peptide Hydrogel as Antibacterial with Wound Healing Properties
Curr. Protein Pept. Sci. 26, 667 (2025); https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892037367553250327084808
/content/journals/cpps/10.2174/0113892037367553250327084808
/content/journals/cpps/10.2174/0113892037367553250327084808
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keyword(s): antibacterial hydrogel; methicillin-resistant S. aureus; Self-assembled peptide; silver nanoparticle; solid phase peptide synthesis; wound healing

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