Antimicrobial Peptides against Bacterial Pathogens: Innovative Delivery Nanosystems for Pharmaceutical Applications
Date Issued
2023
Type
article
Volume
12
Issue
1
Journal
Abstract
The introduction of antibiotics has revolutionized the treatment and prevention of microbial
infections. However, the global spread of pathogens resistant to available antibiotics is a major
concern. Recently, the WHO has updated the priority list of multidrug-resistant (MDR) species
for which the discovery of new therapeutics is urgently needed. In this scenario, antimicrobial
peptides (AMPs) are a new potential alternative to conventional antibiotics, as they show a low risk
of developing antimicrobial resistance, thus preventing MDR bacterial infections. However, there are
limitations and challenges related to the clinical impact of AMPs, as well as great scientific efforts to
find solutions aimed at improving their biological activity, in vivo stability, and bioavailability by
reducing the eventual toxicity. To overcome some of these issues, different types of nanoparticles (NPs)
have been developed for AMP delivery over the last decades. In this review, we provide an update
on recent nanosystems applied to AMPs, with special attention on their potential pharmaceutical
applications for the treatment of bacterial infections. Among lipid nanomaterials, solid lipid NPs
and lipid nanocapsules have been employed to enhance AMP solubility and protect peptides from
proteolytic degradation. In addition, polymeric NPs, particularly nanogels, are able to help in
reducing AMP toxicity and also increasing AMP loading. To boost AMP activity instead, mesoporous
silica or gold NPs can be selected due to their easy surface functionalization. They have been also
used as nanocarriers for different AMP combinations, thus synergistically potentiating their action
against pathogens.
Subjects
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RevAntibDeliverySytems.pdf
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