Silver Nanoparticle-Based Therapy: Can It Be Useful to Combat Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria?

Abstract

The present review focuses on the potential use of silver nanoparticles in the therapy of diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Such bacteria are known as “superbugs”, and the most concerning species are Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin and vancomycin-resistant), and some Enterobacteriaceae. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is an urgent need for new treatments against these “superbugs”. One of the possible approaches in the treatment of these species is the use of antibacterial nanoparticles. After a short overview of nanoparticle usage, mechanisms of action, and methods of synthesis of nanoparticles, emphasis has been placed on the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to combat the most relevant emerging resistant bacteria. The toxicological aspects of the AgNPs, both in vitro using cell cultures and in vivo have been reviewed. It was found that toxic activity of AgNPs is dependent on dose, size, shape, and electrical charge. The mechanism of action of AgNPs involves interactions at various levels such as plasma membrane, DNA replication, inactivation of protein/enzymes necessary, and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to cell death. Researchers do not always agree in their conclusions on the topic and more work is needed in this field before AgNPs can be effectively applied in clinical therapy to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria.

Biological Use of Nanostructured Silica-Based Materials Functionalized with Metallodrugs: The Spanish Perspective

“…The specific mechanism of action is complex, although it seems that silver ions act on bacterial membranes, degrading them, while on the other hand, they interact with enzymes and DNA, preventing their proliferation. In addition, AgNPs have an antibiofilm activity, which prevents bacteria or other pathogens from adhering to and colonizing surfaces in an almost irreversible manner [115].…”

Antibacterial Activity of Extracts of Wild Mango (Mangifera spp.), Ruellia tuberosa L and Leucobryum sp. Causes of Gangrene in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

“…Penggunaan antibiotik suatu keharusan dalam penanganan berbagai penyakit infeksi, namun dalam beberapa tahun terakhir terjadi peningkatan resistensi mikroorganisme terhadap antibiotik (Mateo & Jiménez, 2022). Studi tentang bakteri patogen yang resisten terhadap antibiotik telah banyak dilakukan (Lopez-Romero et al, 2015).…”

Theaflavin Ameliorates Streptococcus suis-Induced Infection In Vitro and In Vivo

“…For pigs, S. suis infections are often treated with fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and β-lactams in the swine industry [ 17 ]. In recent years, with the abusive use of antibiotics, an increase in multidrug-resistant bacterial strains has led to the poor performance of traditional antibiotic therapies [ 18 , 19 ]. Among 506 S. suis isolated from pig farms in the Czech Republic from 2018 to 2022, a high frequency of resistance was found in clindamycin, tilmycosin, tulathromycin, and tetracycline [ 20 ].…”