Prospects for the Use of Metal Cations for the Development of Antimicrobial Complexes

Abstract

It is known that antibacterial drugs with prolonged use cause antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Fast formation of resistance of microorganisms to modern antibacterial drugs requires the search for new methods of treatment. An alternative direction is the use of metal nanoparticles and their oxides as a basis for the creation of antimicrobial agents of a new generation, therefore, the study of methods for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, their physico-chemical and pharmacological properties seems promising. The review examines the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance formation in biofilm and possible ways to overcome them for nanoscale metal particles, describes the synthesis and mechanism of action of nanoparticles containing silver, copper and zinc cations, presents the results of studies evaluating the effect of metal nanoparticles on antibiotic sensitivity in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi in comparison with the action of known dosage forms. Cu2+ and Zn2+ cations have a pronounced antibacterial effect in cultures Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ag+ cations showed the greatest efficacy against S. aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans.