Metallic Nanosystems in the Development of Antimicrobial Strategies with High Antimicrobial Activity and High Biocompatibility

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a major and growing global problem and new approaches to combat infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacterial strains are needed. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to nanomedicine, which has great potential in the development of controlled systems for delivering drugs to specific sites and targeting specific cells, such as pathogenic microbes. There is continued interest in metallic nanoparticles and nanosystems based on metallic nanoparticles containing antimicrobial agents attached to their surface (core shell nanosystems), which offer unique properties, such as the ability to overcome microbial resistance, enhancing antimicrobial activity against both planktonic and biofilm embedded microorganisms, reducing cell toxicity and the possibility of reducing the dosage of antimicrobials. The current review presents the synergistic interactions within metallic nanoparticles by functionalizing their surface with appropriate agents, defining the core structure of metallic nanoparticles and their use in combination therapy to fight infections. Various approaches to modulate the biocompatibility of metallic nanoparticles to control their toxicity in future medical applications are also discussed, as well as their ability to induce resistance and their effects on the host microbiome.

Synergistic Anticandidal Effectiveness of Greenly Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with Antifungal Agents against Nosocomial Candidal Pathogens

“…Moreover, the biofabricated ZnO-NPs (100 µg/disk) exposed antifungal effectiveness against C. albicans and C. glabrata , demonstrating suppressive zones of 22.56 ± 0.51 and 15.12 ± 0.38 mm, respectively. The fungicidal mechanisms of the biosynthesized ZnO-NPs can be characterized by disruption of cellular structures such as cell walls, membranes, and organelles; restriction of biological macromolecular activity such as proteins or enzymes; prevention of DNA replication; and disruption of the anti-oxidative system via the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or Zn 2+ -mediated mechanisms [ 75 ]. Moreover, the fungicidal activity of the biosynthesized ZnO-NPs could be attributed to the oxidative stress brought on by the action of ROS that are produced as a result of ZnO-NPs [ 76 ].…”

Metal-Based Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents: A Review

“…Metals have antimicrobial properties, which are based on their ability to inhibit enzymes, increase the formation of reactive oxygen species, disrupt cell membranes, and prevent germs from receiving critical trace elements . Some metals can also directly cause genotoxicity − (Figure ).…”

Biosynthesis, Characterization and Optimization of Silver Nanoparticles with Strong Antibacterial Activity Using Cell Extracts of Cyanobacterial Chroococcus sp.

“…After the suspensions were adjusted to a turbidity of 0.5 McFarland (10 8 cells/ml), they were inoculated into Mueller Hinton Agar with the help of sterile swab sticks. Then, increasing concentrations (5,10,15,20,25,30,35, 40 μg/mL) of AgNPs solution were impregnated on 6 mm diameter sterile paper discs (Whatman no. 1).…”

“…[9,14] Recently, metal nanoparticles offer encouraging results in the treatment of various bacterial infections with their capacity to reduce biofilm formation, increase intracellular retention, and increase the effectiveness of loaded antimicrobial drugs. [15,16] Especially AgNPs have strong antimicrobial activities against infectious microorganisms. This activity also includes grampositive and gram-negative bacteria that show multidrug resistance.…”