Insight into new emerging materials as antifungal agents and delivery systems: A scoping review

Fungal infections are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in individuals with compromised immune systems. Despite advances in knowledge and treatment techniques, mycoses are becoming increasingly prevalent due to the growing resistance to antifungal medications, frequently observed in clinical settings. Additionally, the emergence of antifungal drug resistance has rendered many accessible drug classes ineffective, significantly complicating the clinical management of fungal diseases. The primary mechanisms of fungal resistance include drug target modification or overexpression, increased efflux pump activity, and activation of cellular stress response pathways. The most concerning resistant fungi are Candida auris (C. auris), Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus), and Trichophyton indotineae. Furthermore, traditional antifungal drugs are limited by their narrow activity spectrum and lack of suitable targets. To address these limitations, new alternatives have been developed, including materials with antifungal properties, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), quantum dots (QDs), carbon quantum dots (CQDs), deep eutectic solvents (DESs), layered double hydroxides (LDHs), and ionic liquids (ILs). These materials not only possess antifungal activity but can also enhance drug targeting. This review explores the nature of these emerging materials, their advantages, and the challenges associated with their application as antifungal agents.