Metal-Based Nanostructures/PLGA Nanocomposites: Antimicrobial Activity, Cytotoxicity, and Their Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Among the different synthetic polymers developed for biomedical applications, poly­(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) has attracted considerable attention because of its excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. Nanocomposites based on PLGA and metal-based nanostructures (MNSs) have been employed extensively as an efficient strategy to improve the structural and functional properties of PLGA polymer. The MNSs have been used to impart new properties to PLGA, such as antimicrobial properties and labeling. In the present review, the different strategies available for the fabrication of MNS/PLGA nanocomposites and their applications in the biomedical field will be discussed, beginning with a description of the preparation routes, antimicrobial activity, and cytotoxicity concerns of MNS/PLGA nanocomposites. The biomedical applications of these nanocomposites, such as carriers and scaffolds in tissue regeneration and other therapies are subsequently reviewed. In addition, the potential advantages of using MNS/PLGA nanocomposites in treatment illnesses are analyzed based on in vitro and in vivo studies, to support the potential of these nanocomposites in future research in the biomedical field.

Metal‐Based Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications: Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxicity Aspects

“…Different mechanisms are utilized by pathogens for acquiring resistance to antibiotics. [ 98–100 ] These mechanisms include: a) active efflux of antibiotics from the bacteria through overexpression of efflux pumps, b) acquisition of alternative metabolic pathways to those inhibited by the drug, c) decreased permeability of the bacterial cell wall which restricts antimicrobial access to target sites, d) degradation of the antibiotic, e) enzymatic modification of the antibiotic, f) modification of antibiotic targets, g) overproduction of the target enzyme, and h) transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes via quorum sensing within members of a biofilm consortium.…”

Versatile role of curcumin and its derivatives in lung cancer therapy

“…These nanoparticles can penetrate into tumor microenvironment to release curcumin. Under NIR irradiation, an increase occurs in curcumin release with simultaneous photothermal impact of gold nanoparticles, resulting in the effective killing of lung cancer cells and stimulation of apoptotic cell death (Makvandi et al, 2020; Zare et al, 2020; F. Zhu, Tan, Jiang, Yu, & Ren, 2018). For instance, stimuli‐responsive curcumin‐conjugated gold nanorods have been used for phototherapy and chemotherapy (Figure 2).…”

Metal–Peptide Complexes as Promising Antibiotics to Fight Emerging Drug Resistance: New Perspectives in Tuberculosis

“…More recently, the incorporation of Rf and the encapsulation into Ag NPs on the CS-g-(CA-MA-PZA) (amphiphilic chitosan-grafted-(acetyl alcohol-maleic anhydride-pyrazinamide) polymer has been carried out: these multi-drug delivery systems demonstrated the ability to enhance biocompatibility and cytotoxic effects on the cells [157]. More in general, the combination of polymeric NPs with antimicrobial inorganic systems is widely investigated: metal-based poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanostructures were used to provide new properties to PLGA derivatives, such as antimicrobial, photo-thermal, magnetic, and bioimaging properties [158]. For example, the polyethylene glycol (PEG-PLGA/magnetite (γ-Fe 2 O 3 )) co-assembled with the antibiotic cotrimoxazole resulted in an excellent delivery system for the release of a drug via an external magnetic impulse [159].…”