Nanoparticle-Based Strategies to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The infectious diseases remain a primary cause of morbidity and mortality on a global level, a crisis exacerbated by the rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The ineffectiveness of the old antibiotics and the stagnation of the development of new medications have triggered an emergency in the search for new methods of treatment. This review examines the opportunity of nanotechnology, which is the so-called nanobiotics, as a game-changing technology in combating multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria by searching various databases. Nanoparticles (NPs) are unique physicochemicals, i.e., high surface-to-volume ratio and multi-valent properties that enable them to overcome traditional resistance, e.g., efflux pumps, target modifications. The paper discusses the important antibacterial processes, which can involve the induction of oxidative stress by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the physical destabilization of the bacterial cell envelope, or the targeting of intracellular macromolecules, such as DNA and proteins. Moreover, it emphasizes the synergistic nature of the interactions of NPs with traditional antibiotics to improve drug delivery and efficacy and decrease host toxicity. Although a wide range of nanomaterials, such as silver, gold, metal oxides, and carbon-based structures, promise a lot, a lot of questions have been raised on their compatibility in the long term, their impact on the environment, and their legality. Nanotechnology, coupled with precision medicine and CRISPR-based systems, is a promising future in dealing with infectious diseases. Finally, nanomedicine is a complex solution to address the shortcomings of existing treatments and achieve a future of world health.