Biosurfactants: potential applications in medicine.
The use and potential commercial application of biosurfactants in the medical field has increased during the past decade. Their antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities make them relevant molecules for applications in combating many diseases and as therapeutic agents. In addition, their role as anti-adhesive agents against several pathogens indicates their utility as suitable anti-adhesive coating agents for medical insertional materials leading to a reduction in a large number of hospital infections without the use of synthetic drugs and chemicals. This review looks at medicinal and therapeutic perspectives on biosurfactant applications.
Rodrigues
Lígia
L
Centro de Engenharia Biológica, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal. lrmr@deb.uminho.pt
Banat
Ibrahim M
IM
Teixeira
José
J
Oliveira
Rosário
R
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D013501:Surface-Active Agents