Meropenem

Sanie-Jahromi F, et al. Heliyon, 2024, 10(14), e33916.

Meropenem demonstrates a favorable safety profile regarding retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cytotoxicity. This study assessed the cytotoxicity and inflammatory response induced by clinically relevant meropenem concentrations, both alone and in combination with vancomycin.
RPE cells (passages 5-7) were exposed to meropenem concentrations at 1/4x, x, and 4x (where x = 16 mg/L), vancomycin (30 mg/L), and a combination of both for 24 hours. Cytotoxicity was assessed via morphology analysis and MTT assay, while gene expression changes in apoptotic markers (BCL-2, BAX) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6) were measured using real-time PCR. Meropenem alone or with vancomycin exhibited no significant cytotoxic effects on RPE cell viability, morphology, or BCL-2/BAX ratios. However, meropenem induced a dose-dependent increase in IL-1β and IL-6 expression, suggesting an inflammatory response, particularly at higher concentrations. This effect was not observed with vancomycin alone or in combination.

Paseban K, et al. Heliyon, 2024, 10(16), e35651.

This study focused on encapsulating meropenem in niosomes and evaluating its antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities. Niosome-encapsulation significantly enhances meropenem's antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities while maintaining minimal cytotoxicity. This formulation represents a promising drug delivery system for combating resistant bacterial infections effectively and safely.
Four niosome formulations were prepared via thin-film hydration using combinations of Span 40/60, Tween 40/60, and cholesterol in a 3:3:4 molar ratio. The films were hydrated with a PBS solution containing meropenem (1 mg/mL), followed by sonication to achieve nanometer-sized particles. These formulations were characterized for particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and antibacterial activity. The F1 formulation exhibited superior properties with a particle size of 51.3 ± 5.84 nm and an encapsulation efficiency of 84.86 ± 3.14%. It demonstrated a biofilm growth inhibition index of 69% and significantly downregulated critical biofilm-related genes (icaD, FnbA, Ebps, Bap) in MRSA strains (p < 0.05). The F1 formulation enhanced antibacterial activity by 4-6 times compared to free meropenem. Importantly, it showed >90% cell viability against normal human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells at all tested concentrations.