Hybrid Nanosystems of Antibiotics with Metal Nanoparticles—Novel Antibacterial Agents

Abstract

The appearance and increasing number of microorganisms resistant to the action of antibiotics is one of the global problems of the 21st century. Already, the duration of therapeutic treatment and mortality from infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms have increased significantly over the last few decades. Nanoscale inorganic materials (metals and metal oxides) with antimicrobial potential are a promising solution to this problem. Here we discuss possible mechanisms of pathogenic microorganisms’ resistance to antibiotics, proposed mechanisms of action of inorganic nanoparticles on bacterial cells, and the possibilities and benefits of their combined use with antibacterial drugs. The prospects of using metal and metal oxide nanoparticles as carriers in targeted delivery systems for antibacterial compositions are also discussed.

Antimicrobial Activity of Citrate-Coated Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles

“…Our results of the chemiluminescence analysis with the determination of the intensification of reactive oxygen species and the redox status of the nanoceria confirmed this theory. However, the first results of our work, obtained using the agar diffusion method, did not cause despair within the working interdisciplinary group of researchers, but they forced us to intensively discuss and assess the possible reasons for the antimicrobial effects that are proposed in other studies [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 62 ]. Since our scientific research group included chemists, biophysicists, microbiologists, biologists, pathophysiologists, pharmacologists, and surgeons, the search for the causes of this phenomenon was carried out across an extensive range of clinical and practical expertise.…”

“…Since our scientific research group included chemists, biophysicists, microbiologists, biologists, pathophysiologists, pharmacologists, and surgeons, the search for the causes of this phenomenon was carried out across an extensive range of clinical and practical expertise. Before starting our microbiological studies, we were almost confident of a positive result, since we had studied the literature data demonstrating that nanoparticles of heavy metals or metals with variable valence have a pronounced antimicrobial effect [ 30 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ]. However, our attempts to obtain a similar effect and then to compare the nanoparticles we synthesized with the nanoparticles used by other researchers who obtained a good antibacterial effect were in vain, since the articles we reviewed in most cases did not contain a detailed method for the synthesis of nanoceria.…”

“…There are studies in the literature that claim that nanoparticles of heavy metals or metals with variable valence have a pronounced antimicrobial effect [ 30 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ]. At the same time, there are also works in which the authors did not obtain such an effect [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ].…”

Fabrication of a Universal Composite Coating for Biliary Stents with Protein Antifouling and Antibacterial Synergies

“…Therefore, MPC based polymer is expected to be an optimal candidate for antiadhesion modification of biliary stents. Furthermore, the combination of effective antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides, quaternary ammonium salts, chitosan, metal ions/nanoparticles, etc., is a common way for biomedical materials to construct actively attacked antibacterial surfaces. However, the performance of some antibacterial agents may be limited combined with the special conditions and alkaline environment of the biliary tract.…”

Potential Antifungal Effect of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Combined with Fungicides against Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum

“…Combining metal nanoparticles (MNPs) with other antimicrobial agents (e.g., antibiotics, essential oils, or other metals) has been proposed as one of the most interesting strategies to avoid or reduce their harmful effects once released into the environment [ 19 , 20 ]. In this sense, some studies have evidenced that the combination of MNPs, such as silver or zinc oxide, with fungicides has provoked additive and synergistic interactions, implying that the antifungal effect has been higher than that of either agent alone [ 21 , 22 ].…”