Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Essential Oils: A New Tool for Biological Applications

Abstract

Essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile compounds with diverse biological properties. Antimicrobial activity has been attributed to the essential oils as well as their capacity to prevent pathogenic microorganisms from forming biofilms. The search of compounds or methodologies with this capacity is of great importance due to the fact that the adherence of these pathogenic microorganisms to surfaces largely contributes to antibiotic resistance. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have been assayed for diverse biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility and low toxicity. Several methods have been developed in order to obtain functionalized magnetite nanoparticles with adequate size, shape, size distribution, surface, and magnetic properties for medical applications. Essential oils have been evaluated as modifiers of the surface magnetite nanoparticles for improving their stabilization but particularly to prevent the growth of microorganisms. This review aims to provide an overview on the current knowledge about the use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and essential oils on the prevention of microbial adherence and consequent biofilm formation with the goal of being applied on the surface of medical devices. Some limitations found in the studies are discussed.

MAPLE Coatings Embedded with Essential Oil-Conjugated Magnetite for Anti-Biofilm Applications

“…Besides facile and significant yield synthesis, Fe 3 O 4 particles possess peculiar nanosize-related features, such as surface functionalization, tunable biocompatibility and superparamagnetic behavior [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ]. The surface modification of magnetite nanoparticles with essential oils represents a bidirectional strategy to obtain multifunctional platforms: (i) firstly, the organic molecules act as modulators for the compatibility and stability of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles; and (ii) secondly, the inorganic core acts as a stabilizer and potentiating agent for the essential oils [ 71 , 72 ]. By combining these benefits, new and effective therapeutic nanosystems can be provided, with the additional ability of targeted and controlled treatment.…”

Sepsis diagnosis and treatment using nanomaterials

“…Another type of MNPs, superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs (SPIONs), were known as tiny size (~ under 20 nm), capable of controllable and biocompatible iron oxide NPs. It has led to their numerous biomedical applications: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and imaging, hyperthermia for cancer treatment, drug delivery, biosensor systems, magnetic separation immunoassays, parasite diagnostic assays, nano bridges substances for surgery, wound healing, and cell labeling [ 64 , 65 ]. SPIONs provided higher magnetic liability to the surrounding magnetic field than other paramagnetic materials.…”

Nanoparticles—Attractive Carriers of Antimicrobial Essential Oils

“…Antimicrobial resistance develops and continues to transmit across different species of bacteria due to various factors such as conjugation, transformation, and transduction processes of the gene transfer cycle. Therefore, new and unique alternative antimicrobials are needed to combat multidrug resistance [ 2 , 3 , 4 ].…”

“…Essential oils have a wide range of therapeutic properties; however, their use as antimicrobials in alternative treatments for infectious diseases, food preservation, and packaging has been restricted due to issues such as low solubility, solvent toxicity, volatility, and strong organoleptic flavor. Scientific investigations focusing on various encapsulation strategies for EOs such as solid lipid nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, nanogels, liposomes, silica nanoparticles, and metallic nanoparticles are directed towards masking their undesirable attributes and enhancing their biological activities [ 2 ].…”