Abstract
The development of drug resistance in microorganisms has become one of
the greatest global health challenges, as microorganisms tend to adapt to organic drugs
via several mechanisms. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) in microorganisms not only
increases the mortality rate of humans, but clinicians are also running out of options to
treat MDR infections. A solution to this problem could be found in inorganic
chemistry, where metal elements are converted in to nanoparticles that function as both
drug and drug delivery agents to control microbial growth and overcome the resistance
imposed on organic drugs. Nanoparticles have a high surface area to volume ratio,
making them highly reactive with selective types of molecules such as bacterial/fungal
cell walls. This makes nanoparticles an effective alternative to traditional chemical
drugs. The development of resistance in the case of nanoparticles is almost nil.
Nanoparticles of various elements have proven to be effective anti-microbial agents
with several other pharmaceutical activities. Nanoparticles are also effective drug
delivery agents that increase the bioavailability of drugs, enhance bioactivity, and
increase drug flux into and through skin and biofilms. This chapter provides a
compilation of various types of organic and inorganic nanoparticles, with their
bioactivity, mode of action, synthesis, side effects, and mode of administration.
Different types of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems are summarised in this
chapter, along with a summary of their organ-specific drug delivery. This report can
provide a detailed understanding of nanoparticles in anti-microbial applications and aid
in R&D to yield future nanomedicine.