Empowering Antimicrobial Peptides: Harnessing Nanotechnology and Engineering Strategies to Combat Microbial Resistance

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being studied for their potential in addressing microbial resistance, a significant issue in treating infections. More than 22,500 AMPs are listed in the database, but their clinical use faces challenges like instability and selectivity. Nanodrug delivery systems are now seen as a beneficial method to improve the effectiveness of AMPs. These systems can shield AMPs from degradation, enhance their availability, and deliver them to specific infection sites, enhancing their ability to combat resistance. One example is liposomal nanoparticles loaded with a mix of AMPs, targeting drug‐resistant bacteria directly. Strategies to develop novel AMPs through engineering methods, including design approaches, computational techniques, and modifications for stability, are discussed in this review. Combinatorial approaches with antibiotics, patents, and clinical trials involving AMPs against infections are also considered, highlighting the potential of AMPs in battling microbial resistance.