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Abstract
Background:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the most critical global public health threats, compromising the effectiveness of antibiotics and undermining decades of progress in the treatment of infectious diseases. The rapid rise of AMR threatens the prevention and treatment of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. Inappropriate prescribing and overuse of antimicrobial agents have accelerated the development of resistance mechanisms, including efflux pumps, enzymatic drug inactivation, reduced membrane permeability, biofilm formation, and genetic mutations.
Objective:
To review the role of nanotechnology in combating antimicrobial resistance, focusing on the mechanisms, therapeutic applications, challenges, and future prospects of nanoparticles.
Methods:
A comprehensive review of the recent literature was conducted to examine the antimicrobial properties of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, including silver (AgNPs), zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂ NPs). The review focuses on their mechanisms of action, synergistic effects with conventional antibiotics, and applications in overcoming multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Results:
Nanoparticles exhibit strong antimicrobial activity by disrupting microbial membranes, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), penetrating biofilms, and enabling targeted drug delivery. They also enhance intracellular drug retention, inhibit the transfer of resistance genes, and restore the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics against resistant pathogens.
Conclusion:
Nanotechnology offers a promising and innovative approach to combating antimicrobial resistance by overcoming conventional resistance mechanisms, with the potential to improve the treatment of resistant infections despite challenges in clinical translation and safety.