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Abstract

The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens presents a global health crisis, necessitates the development of innovative and effective solutions. Green-synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles offer a promising remedy in combating MDR pathogens. In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using Albizia lebbeck seed extract and characterized using SEM, XDR, and FTIR. The antibacterial activity of methanolic and n-hexane extracts of ZnO nanoparticles was evaluated against selected MDR hospital-based bacterial species including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Yersinia enterocolitica, Providencia stuartii, and Morganella morganii using qualitative agar well diffusion assay. Additionally, the synergistic effect of selected antibiotics coated and uncoated with seed extract was also determined through Kirby bar disc diffusion assay. Methanolic and n-hexane seed extracts exhibited the highest antibacterial activity d against E. coli (18±0.5mm) and Yersinia enterocolitica (16.3±1.2 mm) respectively. Furthermore, Nitrofuran coated with ZnO nanoparticles showed a 20.5% increase in potency against K. pneumonia, while nanoparticles coated with ceftazidime demonstrated a 58.2% increase in potency against Morganella morganii. Similarly, nanoparticles-coated imipenem exhibited 57.2% increased potency against K. pneumoniae along with amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, cefepime, and piperacillin + tazobactam coated with ZnO nanoparticles. Our findings suggests that green-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles, when combined with antibiotics, can serve as an effective therapeutic agent against MDR pathogens.

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