Formation of colchicine-incorporated hybrid nanoflower with an intrinsic peroxidase-mimic and enhanced antimicrobial activities

Abstract

We report the formation of colchicine-Cu-3(PO4)(2) hybrid nanoflowers (Colc-NFs) with intrinsic catalytic and antimicrobial activities with and without hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). While the colchicine molecule, known as a secondary metabolite with anti-inflammatory properties, was used as an organic part of Colc-NFs, the Cu2+ ion acted as an inorganic part of Colc-NFs. The acetamide group in the colchicine structure may react with Cu2+ ions in phosphate-buffered saline to form Colc-NFs. The Colc-NFs exhibited both an intrinsic peroxidase-mimic activity against guaiacol and antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans in the presence of H2O2. Both activities of the Colc-NFs rely on a Fenton-like reaction mechanism by producing reactive hydroxyl radicals. In addition to that high surface-to-volume ratio and porous structure of Colc-NFs may contribute to their peroxidase-mimic activities depending on the Fenton-like reaction.