Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles Using Citrullus colocynthis and their Synergistic Antimicrobial Activity against Drug-Resistant Pathogens.

Current microbiology · 2026 · Benefit · Insufficient evidence

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BenefitInsufficient evidencePaper 2411

Study snapshot

PublicationCurrent microbiology · 2026

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. This study reports the green synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs) using Citrullus colocynthis extract, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, as a sustainable alternative to conventional antibiotics. The synthesized MgO-NPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy (absorption peak at 250 nm), XRD (cubic crystalline structure, 15-25 nm size), SEM-EDX (agglomerated spherical morphology, Mg/O ratio 2.6:1), and FTIR (Mg-O vibration at 860 cm). The nanoparticles exhibited potent, dose-dependent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus [MIC: 35.3 ± 2.1 µg/ml (0.0353 ± 0.0021 mg/ml); MBC: 97.1 ± 3.5 µg/ml (0.0971 ± 0.0035 mg/ml)] and Escherichia coli [MIC: 47.5 ± 4.2 µg/ml (0.0475 ± 0.0042 mg/ml); MBC: 105.5 ± 6.8 µg/ml (0.1055 ± 0.0068 mg/ml)], with a bactericidal mode of action (MBC/MIC ≤ 4). Remarkably, MgO-NPs restored susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics (ceftazidime and penicillin) in resistant strains, demonstrating synergistic effects. Antifungal activity of MgO-NPs against Candida albicans (17.3 ± 0.7 mm) and Aspergillus niger (14.4 ± 0.8 mm) at a concentration of 10 mg/ml was also observed. Phytochemical analysis revealed solvent-dependent bioactive constituents in C. colocynthis, with aqueous extracts rich in tannins/phenolics and methanolic extracts rich in flavonoids/terpenoids. This is the first report demonstrating the restoration of antibiotic susceptibility by MgO-NPs synthesized from C. colocynthis extract.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (15–25 nm) synthesized using Citrullus colocynthis extract showed dose-dependent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 35.3±2.1 µg/ml; MBC 97.1±3.5 µg/ml) and Escherichia coli (MIC 47.5±4.2 µg/ml; MBC 105.5±6.8 µg/ml), with bactericidal action (MBC/MIC ≤4). The MgO-NPs reportedly restored susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics (ceftazidime and penicillin) in resistant strains (synergistic effects) and showed antifungal activity at 10 mg/ml against Candida albicans (17.3±0.7 mm) and Aspergillus niger (14.4±0.8 mm).

Outcomes measured

Antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC, MBC)
Antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (MIC, MBC)
Synergistic effects with β-lactam antibiotics (ceftazidime, penicillin) / restoration of antibiotic susceptibility
Antifungal activity against Candida albicans (zone of inhibition)
Antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (zone of inhibition)
Nanoparticle characterization (UV-Vis, XRD, SEM-EDX, FTIR)
Phytochemical constituents of Citrullus colocynthis extracts

View raw extracted JSON

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  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC, MBC)",
    "Antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (MIC, MBC)",
    "Synergistic effects with β-lactam antibiotics (ceftazidime, penicillin) / restoration of antibiotic susceptibility",
    "Antifungal activity against Candida albicans (zone of inhibition)",
    "Antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (zone of inhibition)",
    "Nanoparticle characterization (UV-Vis, XRD, SEM-EDX, FTIR)",
    "Phytochemical constituents of Citrullus colocynthis extracts"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (15–25 nm) synthesized using Citrullus colocynthis extract showed dose-dependent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 35.3±2.1 µg/ml; MBC 97.1±3.5 µg/ml) and Escherichia coli (MIC 47.5±4.2 µg/ml; MBC 105.5±6.8 µg/ml), with bactericidal action (MBC/MIC ≤4). The MgO-NPs reportedly restored susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics (ceftazidime and penicillin) in resistant strains (synergistic effects) and showed antifungal activity at 10 mg/ml against Candida albicans (17.3±0.7 mm) and Aspergillus niger (14.4±0.8 mm).",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "magnesium oxide nanoparticles",
    "green synthesis",
    "Citrullus colocynthis",
    "antimicrobial resistance",
    "multidrug-resistant",
    "Staphylococcus aureus",
    "Escherichia coli",
    "synergy",
    "β-lactam antibiotics",
    "ceftazidime",
    "penicillin",
    "Candida albicans",
    "Aspergillus niger"
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  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s00284-026-04748-x
PubMed: 41656441

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