Enhanced Antibiofilm Efficacy of Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Quatsomal Gel Formulation Against Multidrug-Resistant Superbug Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Enhanced Antibiofilm Efficacy of Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Quatsomal Gel Formulation Against Multidrug-Resistant Superbug Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Enhanced Antibiofilm Efficacy of Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Quatsomal Gel Formulation Against Multidrug-Resistant Superbug Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Jianguo Shi, Zanib Farid, Sanaa Anjum, Syed Tatheer Alam Naqvi, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8448779/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 13 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: MRSA biofilms pose a significant challenge in clinical settings due to their resistance to antibiotics and persistence in infections. This current study formulated and evaluated the ciprofloxacin-loaded quatsomes in gel formulation to enhance topical antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy against MRSA. Formulation was prepared using a probe sonication method with CTAB and cholesterol, followed by incorporation of ciprofloxacin. Results: The resulting formulation was characterized by particle size, zeta potential, TEM, encapsulation efficiency, and FTIR spectroscopy. A HPMC-based gel was developed for topical delivery and antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities were assessed. An in vivo wound excision model in mice evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of this formulation. The loaded formulation exhibited a mean particle size of 154.6±0.7 nm, PDI of +51.3±1.3mV and 79±0.4% ciprofloxacin encapsulation efficiency. FTIR confirmed the drug incorporation along with pH, spreadability, and viscosity testing within specific ranges for skin application. Optimized formulation significantly reduced MRSA growth with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 64 µg/mL and 91.32±0.14% biofilm inhibition. In vivo studies revealed 98% wound contraction and ~ -4 log 10 CFU reduction with the loaded quatsomes group compared to 82% with the ciprofloxacin group. Conclusion: Formulation showed potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against MRSA and represents a promising alternative for treating biofilm-associated skin infections. MRSA biofilm Multi-drug resistance Ciprofloxacin Drug-loaded Quatsomes Antibiofilm Efficacy Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 09 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 06 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Mar, 2026 Reviews received at journal 27 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 25 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 25 Mar, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 25 Mar, 2026 Editor invited by journal 12 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 18 Jan, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 17 Jan, 2026 First submitted to journal 17 Jan, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8448779","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":611783798,"identity":"8e619b63-35f6-431f-84ca-a788e4ac822f","order_by":0,"name":"Jianguo Shi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jianguo","middleName":"","lastName":"Shi","suffix":""},{"id":611783799,"identity":"23947fe0-c617-4fd7-8c23-647205be78b3","order_by":1,"name":"Zanib Farid","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"COMSATS University Islamabad","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zanib","middleName":"","lastName":"Farid","suffix":""},{"id":611783800,"identity":"a598a4d3-1141-4f9f-8e30-c75b4abe5d77","order_by":2,"name":"Sanaa Anjum","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Wah","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sanaa","middleName":"","lastName":"Anjum","suffix":""},{"id":611783801,"identity":"d317cca2-0874-4085-a1ad-c83b3bb76e14","order_by":3,"name":"Syed Tatheer Alam Naqvi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"COMSATS University Islamabad","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Syed","middleName":"Tatheer Alam","lastName":"Naqvi","suffix":""},{"id":611783804,"identity":"e29adbd3-6244-4a7d-b900-0696412b5041","order_by":4,"name":"Muhammad Arfat Yameen","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA9klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACxgdw1mMwxczcQEALswHDASjLmIHBAEgxEq+FTRqshYGAFv7Zhxk/f2yzi+Zn7z1WXVDxJ5q/HajlR8U2nFokziUzSxxsS86d2XMu7faMMwa5Mw4zNjD2nLmN25oz/AeAWphzN9zIMbvN22aQ2wDUwszYhluL/Blm5h8H2+pz999/Y1YM0jKfkBaDM8xsQFsO526Q4DFjBmnZQEiLIVCLxZlzx3NnnMkxluY5Y5y7EajlID6/yAEddqOirDq3v/2M4WeeCrnceecPH3zwowKP90GAkQ1N4AB+9SDwh7CSUTAKRsEoGMEAAFuVWlWv9kErAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"COMSATS University Islamabad","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Muhammad","middleName":"Arfat","lastName":"Yameen","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-12-25 11:53:14","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8448779/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8448779/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":105567053,"identity":"3920cd43-4d51-4554-8343-d7a59519b52e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-27 12:58:11","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":793018,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Revised2Mainmanuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8448779/v1_covered_d1ac3f46-e7dc-46cc-a602-6f74cc73ec7e.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eEnhanced Antibiofilm Efficacy of Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Quatsomal Gel Formulation Against Multidrug-Resistant Superbug Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-microbiology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"mcro","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Microbiology](http://bmcmicrobiol.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/mcro","title":"BMC Microbiology","twitterHandle":"#bmcmicrobiology","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"MRSA biofilm, Multi-drug resistance, Ciprofloxacin, Drug-loaded Quatsomes, Antibiofilm Efficacy","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8448779/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8448779/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground:\u003c/strong\u003e MRSA biofilms pose a significant challenge in clinical settings due to their resistance to antibiotics and persistence in infections. This current study formulated and evaluated the ciprofloxacin-loaded quatsomes in gel formulation to enhance topical antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy against MRSA. Formulation was prepared using a probe sonication method with CTAB and cholesterol, followed by incorporation of ciprofloxacin.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults:\u003c/strong\u003e The resulting formulation was characterized by particle size, zeta potential, TEM, encapsulation efficiency, and FTIR spectroscopy. A HPMC-based gel was developed for topical delivery and antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities were assessed. An \u003cem\u003ein vivo\u003c/em\u003e wound excision\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c/strong\u003emodel in mice evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of this formulation. The loaded formulation exhibited a mean particle size of 154.6±0.7 nm, PDI of +51.3±1.3mV and 79±0.4% ciprofloxacin encapsulation efficiency. 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Optimized formulation significantly reduced MRSA growth with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 64 µg/mL and 91.32±0.14% biofilm inhibition. \u003cem\u003eIn vivo\u003c/em\u003e studies revealed 98% wound contraction and ~ -4 log\u003csup\u003e10\u003c/sup\u003e CFU reduction with the loaded quatsomes group compared to 82% with the ciprofloxacin group.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion: \u003c/strong\u003eFormulation showed potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against MRSA and represents a promising alternative for treating biofilm-associated skin infections.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Enhanced Antibiofilm Efficacy of Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Quatsomal Gel Formulation Against Multidrug-Resistant Superbug Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-26 15:52:56","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8448779/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-04-09T06:03:41+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-06T14:53:22+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"111582118161796414640939900751235146781","date":"2026-03-30T10:49:37+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"308177865250944381162198439487899749382","date":"2026-03-30T09:33:04+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"77839329851052684428072638728032868096","date":"2026-03-27T12:41:14+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-03-27T10:57:27+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"250855180469763949854330391996398736905","date":"2026-03-25T06:31:16+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"59474008646772236485521218839170081807","date":"2026-03-25T06:18:53+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-25T05:51:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-12T04:22:20+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-01-19T04:40:59+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-01-18T02:06:48+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Microbiology","date":"2026-01-18T02:01:31+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-microbiology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"mcro","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Microbiology](http://bmcmicrobiol.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/mcro","title":"BMC Microbiology","twitterHandle":"#bmcmicrobiology","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"531f489f-95b0-4541-a125-58162800bac9","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 26th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"in-revision","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-05T07:25:04+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-26 15:52:56","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8448779","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8448779","identity":"rs-8448779","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}