Antibacterial and Phagocytic Properties of a Novel Silver-Interferon Complex

Background: Developing new antibacterial and antiviral drugs are considered a significant issue due to the emergence and spread of resistant strains of microorganisms. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the need for new broad-spectrum anti-infective agents. Objective: This experimental study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and phagocytic properties of silver-interferon preparation. The combination of properties of complex drugs makes them promising for treating drug-resistant infections and bacterial complications of viral diseases. Methods: The antibacterial effect of the silver-interferon platform was investigated by agar diffusion and serial dilution methods. The drug's effect on the functional activity of phagocytes was studied on human neutrophils in a Staphylococcus aureus uptake test. Results: Investigations have shown that the silver-interferon complex possesses a bactericidal mechanism of action against tested bacterial strains, including Streptococcus pneumonia, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli. Streptococcus pneumonia was the most susceptible bacterial target for the tested complex, with a growth inhibition zone of 12±0.6 mm and a minimal bactericidal concentration of 0.08 mg/ml. A slight stimulating action of the drug in relation to the activity of phagocytes was revealed. Conclusion: Silver-interferon has proved as a prospective anti-infective drug with a wide range of activities.