Nanotechnology-Based Delivery Systems for Antimicrobial Peptides

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to global health. The conventional antibiotic pool has been depleted, forcing the investigation of novel and alternative antimicrobial strategies. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown potential as alternative diagnostic and therapeutic agents in biomedical applications. To date, over 3000 AMPs have been identified, but only a fraction of these have been approved for clinical trials. Their clinical applications are limited to topical application due to their systemic toxicity, susceptibility to protease degradation, short half-life, and rapid renal clearance. To circumvent these challenges and improve AMP’s efficacy, different approaches such as peptide chemical modifications and the development of AMP delivery systems have been employed. Nanomaterials have been shown to improve the activity of antimicrobial drugs by providing support and synergistic effect against pathogenic microbes. This paper describes the role of nanotechnology in the targeted delivery of AMPs, and some of the nano-based delivery strategies for AMPs are discussed with a clear focus on metallic nanoparticle (MNP) formulations.

Multifunctional Gold Nanoparticles for Improved Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications: A Review

“…MDR microbes are a major health concern and a leading cause of mortality, worldwide [ 21 , 137 – 141 ]. These microorganisms have become resistant to conventional antimicrobial agents, due to over-prescription and misuse of these drugs [ 142 ]. No new antibiotics have been produced in over 40 years, mainly because the big pharmaceutical companies have retreated from their antibiotic research programs due to the lack of incentives [ 143 ].…”

“…AuNPs are among the new generation of antimicrobial agents under review. They have shown broad antimicrobial (bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal) effects against a number of pathogenic and MDR microorganisms and thus have potential to overcome microbial drug resistance [ 21 , 142 , 144 ]. Their antimicrobial effects are dependent on their physicochemical properties, especially their size, surface composition, charge and shape [ 21 , 144 ].…”

Plant Extract-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles for Application in Dental Therapy

“…The use of NPs is now being considered for the treatment and prevention of dental infections and diseases [73]. Various types of NPs exist, and they are broadly classified as inorganic and organic NPs [74]. Inorganic NPs include semi-conductors (ZnO, ZnS, quantum dots), metallic NPs (gold, silver, copper, aluminium, platinum), and magnetic NPs (cobalt, iron, nickel, iron oxide); while organic NPs include carbon (fullerenes, carbon nanotubes) and polymeric (chitosan, liposomes) NPs [74,75].…”

“…Various types of NPs exist, and they are broadly classified as inorganic and organic NPs [74]. Inorganic NPs include semi-conductors (ZnO, ZnS, quantum dots), metallic NPs (gold, silver, copper, aluminium, platinum), and magnetic NPs (cobalt, iron, nickel, iron oxide); while organic NPs include carbon (fullerenes, carbon nanotubes) and polymeric (chitosan, liposomes) NPs [74,75]. All these nanomaterials have played a significant role in various experimental dental and oral applications, as shown in Figure 1.…”

“…However, all these methods are not only costly, but were also reported to produce products that might be harmful to humans and the environment. The methods are discussed in detail elsewhere [74,77,102].…”