Nanotechnology approach to combat cancer-inducing Escherichia coli: Co-delivery of 5-fluorouracil and ciprofloxacin by chitosan-coated liposomes.

The intestinal microbiota is essential for host homeostasis, but dysbiosis can contribute to diseases such as colorectal cancer (CRC). Pathogenic Escherichia coli strains producing toxins like colibactin are linked to CRC by causing DNA damage and chronic inflammation. This study aimed to develop and characterize chitosan-coated liposomes for the co-delivery of ciprofloxacin (CIP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), targeting both bacterial infections and CRC. Liposomes were prepared using lipid hydration and sonication, then evaluated for morphology (SEM), particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity, encapsulation efficiency, gastrointestinal stability, mucoadhesion, hematotoxicity, and antibacterial activity. The liposomes showed spherical morphology, appropriate size for oral administration (114.6-194.8 nm), and a positive zeta potential (+11.4 to +20.2 mV), indicating good stability and interaction with intestinal mucosa. Encapsulation efficiency was satisfactory, with good stability under gastrointestinal conditions. The formulation showed mucoadhesive properties, low hematotoxicity (0.4-4.9 %), and strong antibacterial activity against E. coli (33-37 mm inhibition zones). In conclusion, the co-delivery system (Lipo-CIP-Qui + Lipo-5FU-Qui) offers a promising oral therapeutic strategy, combining antimicrobial and potencial antitumoral effects with a potencial favorable safety profile, potentially contributing to the integrated treatment of CRC associated with bacterial infection.