Amphiphilic Nanocarriers to Fight Against Pathogenic Bacteria

Abstract

The emergence and expansion of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria have become a global threat to both humans and animals. Immense use, overuse and misuse of antibiotics over several decades have increased the frequencies of resistance in pathogenic bacteria and resulted in significant medical problems. To fight against the widespread drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria has become a terrific challenge for the modern healthcare system. The major challenges to fight against pathogenic bacteria involve long-term antibiotic therapy with combinations of drugs. The abundance of resistance mechanisms in pathogenic bacteria has compelled many therapeutic antibiotics to become ineffective. As a result, the elimination of drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria requires a judicious strategy. The advent of nanotechnology has unveiled a new horizon in the field of nanomedicine. Nanoparticle-based techniques have the potential to overcome the challenges faced by traditional antimicrobials. In this way, self-assembling amphiphilic molecules have emerged as a fascinating technique to fight against pathogenic bacteria because of their ability to function as nanocarriers of bactericidal agents and interact and disrupt bacterial membranes. Nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems can mitigate toxicity issues and the adverse effects of high antibiotic doses. The focus of this chapter is to discuss various amphiphilic nanocarriers and their roles and possibilities in fighting against pathogenic bacteria.