Nanoantibiotics: A Tool Against Antimicrobial Resistance

Abstract

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), is one of the biggest emerging threats to human health and healthcare
systems. Experts are suggesting that the post-antibiotic era, in which microbial infections and minor injuries
will again become fatal, is near. A report published by the Antibiotics Resistance Collaborators, in the Lancet,
reported that 1.27 million people died due to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in 2019.¹ Deaths could
reach 10 million by 2050 if the problem is not addressed. Antimicrobial resistance arises as a natural adaptation
of microorganisms to environmental challenges. One typical self-defense mechanism is by producing enzymes
that inactivate antimicrobial agents. Bacteria can also become resistant to β-lactams by producing β-lactamase,
and by altering binding sites for antimicrobials agents (resistance to glycopeptide antibiotic agents), expressing
multidrug efflux pumps such as tigecycline resistance to Acinetobacter baumannii, and limiting cell
permeability for antibiotics such as Acinetobacter baumannii and pseudomonas aeruginosa.^2,3
th In the early 20 century, infectious diseases were the major cause of death. The advent of antibiotics led to a
significant decrease in mortality.⁴ However, antibiotics resistance has now reached a threshold that is
invalidating commonly used antibiotic agents. Currently the attempts to manage microbial resistance to
antibiotics include the development of novel antimicrobial agents. However, there is no guarantee that the
introduced new antimicrobial agents would be able to cope with the microbial resistance effectively and
efficiently.⁵

Apart from developing new antibiotics, the chemical modification of existing antimicrobial agents is emerging as an upcoming strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance.^4-6 Research on the effect of antibiotic associated
nanoparticles on bacterial function is being conducted with the hope that advances in nanotechnology will lead
to strategies for reconfiguration of presently available antibiotic molecules.
Several nanomaterials have been identified as alternates for combating antimicrobial resistant strains. Each
metallic and ceramic nanomaterials and more specifically their nanoparticles have their own peculiar
antimicrobial properties. Studies have reported that these nanoparticles can be surface-functionalized with
antimicrobial agents or molecules to further enhance their antimicrobial efficacy.⁶ Engineering antibiotics into
nanoscale or functionalizing nanoparticles with antibiotic agents allows them to penetrate microbial cells and
reach their target sites with precision and accuracy. Studies have shown that in contrast to free antibiotics,
tailored functionalized nanoparticles and small antibiotic molecules have improved binding affinities and
target specificity.⁶ Currently, these nanotechnology-based solutions have reported some problems like
cytotoxicity, targeted selectivity, and bulk production. However, with concrete planning and a cohesive
approach from academia, industry, and government, the development of nanoantibiotics drugs of unique
shapes and sizes, high surface areas, ability to carry antibiotic drugs to target sites, and protein disruption will
help overcome antimicrobial resistance.

Editor-in-Chief

How to cite this: Alamgir W, Adnan H. Nanoantibiotics: A Tool Against Antimicrobial Resistance. Life and Science. 2024; 5(2): 130-131. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.657