Antibiotic resistance is a major worldwide threat today. According to estimates, by 2050, up to 10 million people could die from bacterial diseases alone, perhaps ushering in a return to the pre-antibiotic period. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified antimicrobial resistance as the third greatest danger to global health.
As a result,
scientists are continuously studying new techniques and approaches to combating
antibiotic resistance. Nanoparticles, in particular, are gaining traction.
However, do nanochemistry and nanoparticle-drug conjugates provide viable
solutions to this pressing issue? This article delves into the critical
question.
1 Role of nanoparticles in killing bacteria
1. 1 The interaction between positively charged nanoparticles and the cell wall of bacteria leads to disruptions in bacterial membranes.
Gram-positive
and Gram-negative bacteria have different cell wall construction, determined by
the thickness of the peptidoglycan layer, a crucial component of the bacterial
cell wall. In Gram-positive bacteria, there exists an inner teichoic polymer
layer within this peptidoglycan layer, which is negatively charged. In
contrast, Gram-negative bacteria have an outer lipopolysaccharide layer outside
the peptidoglycan layer, also negatively charged. Positively charged
nanoparticles can readily attract to these layers and causes disruption to cell
membrane, potentially leading to the destruction of bacterial cells.
1.2 Action of nanoparticles on bacterial cell components
Following
interaction with the bacterial cell membrane, nanoparticles have the ability to
disrupt it and penetrate the bacterial cell. Once inside, the metal ions bind
to crucial components such as ribosomes, DNA, RNA, and other essential enzymes
involved in bacterial cell functions. Consequently, these interactions induce
alterations in these vital components, leading to the eventual death of the
bacteria.
1.3 Nanoparticle-drug conjugates as antibacterials agents
It's possible to attach numerous antibacterial molecules to the surface of nanoparticles. These nanoparticle-drug conjugates demonstrate dual action. Initially, nanoparticles interact with the bacterial membrane. Upon these interactions, the drug molecules can easily penetrate the bacterial cell. Each class of drug targets different components; for instance, b-lactams inhibit cell wall synthesis. Thus, while the drug molecules perform their function, nanoparticles can disrupt the cell membrane. Simultaneously, nanoparticles can enter the bacterial cell and interact with ribosomes, DNA, and RNA, potentially leading to bacterial cell death. In essence, nanoparticle-drug conjugates offer a multi-action strategy to combat bacteria.
Read: Causes and consequences of Antibiotic Resistance
2 Why nanoparticle can be a potent solution for antibacterial resistance?
2.1 Enhanced Drug availability within Bacterial Cells
As nanoparticles bind to the
bacterial membrane, drug molecules loaded onto the nanoparticles can easily
enter bacterial cells and exert their antimicrobial effects, contributing to
bacterial cell death.
2.2 Multifaceted Action
Nanoparticle-drug conjugates can
simultaneously demonstrate various mechanisms of action. While the drug
performs its function, nanoparticles disrupt the cell membrane and interact
with different components inside the bacterial cell, inhibiting bacterial
processes.
2.3 Nanoparticles as Efficient Drug Delivery Vehicles
Nanoparticles
possess the capability to penetrate cells effectively. Further their properties
can be varied to not affect the normal host cells. This allows drugs loaded
onto nanoparticles to be efficiently delivered to bacterial cells, where they
can exert their effects without affecting host cells. So, nanoparticle-drug
conjugates have potential to treat a range of intracellular bacterial infection
which is also an important cause of antibacterial resistance.
2.4 Lowered Drug Concentrations
Due to the
enhanced drug availability facilitated by nanoparticles, the quantity of drugs
required to kill bacteria can be significantly reduced, thereby minimizing
potential side effects.
So overall the target drug delivery, multi-target approach to kill bacteria, lowered drug concentration and enhanced availability of drugs within bacteria due to nanoparticles definitely provides a potential solution for antibacterial resistance.
In conclusion
Antibacterial resistance is a problem and nanoparticles or Nanochemistry can
provide an important solution for this problem. However, research is going on
this area which will definitely come up with possible solutions.
For further scientific
information must read these review articles. These articles present current
research going on in nanochemistry and naopartilces for addressing
antibacterial resistance and also nanoparticle-based therapeutics in clinical
trials.
2. Combatting antibiotic-resistant bacteria usingnanomaterials.
3. Nanoparticle-drug conjugates treating bacterialinfections.
4. Nanoparticle drug conjugates treating microbial and viralinfections: A review.
5. Recent advances in nanoparticle-mediated antibacterialapplications.
