Antibacterial and Phagocytic Properties of a Novel Silver-Interferon Complex

Abstract

Developing new antibacterial and antiviral drugs is considered a significant issue due to the emergence and spread of resistant strains of microorganisms. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the need for new broad-spectrum anti-infective agents. The aim of this experimental study was the investigation of antibacterial and phagocytic properties of silver-interferon preparation. The combination of properties of complex drugs makes them promising for the treatment of drug-resistant infections and bacterial complications of viral diseases. The antibacterial effect of the silver-interferon platform was investigated by agar diffusion and serial dilution methods. The effect of the drug on the functional activity of phagocytes was studied on human neutrophils in a Staphylococcus aureus uptake test. Investigations have shown that the silver-interferon complex possesses a bactericidal mechanism of action against tested bacterial strains, including Streptococcus pneumonia, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli. Streptococcus pneumonia was proved as the most susceptible bacterial target for the tested complex with growth inhibition zone of 12±0.6 mm and minimal bactericidal concentration of 0.08 mg/ml. A slight stimulating action of the drug in relation to the activity of phagocytes was revealed. Silver-interferon has proved as a prospective anti-infective drug with a wide range of activity.