title: Sulfur and sulfur nanoparticles as potential antimicrobials: from traditional medicine to nanomedicine.
abstract: The alarming rate of infections caused by various pathogens and development of their resistance towards a large number of antimicrobial agents has generated an essential need to search for novel and effective antimicrobial agents. Metal nanoparticles such as silver have been widely used and accepted as strong antimicrobial agents, but considering the cost effectiveness and significant bioactivities, researchers are looking to utilize sulfur nanoparticles as an effective alternative to silver nanoparticles.
  
  
  
  This review has been focused on different approaches for the synthesis of sulfur nanoparticles, their broad spectrum bioactivities and possible mechanisms involved in their bioactivities. Expert commentary: Sulfur nanoparticles are reported to possess broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, and hence can be used to treat microbial infections and potentially tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance. Thus, in the future, sulfur nanoparticles can be used as an effective, non-toxic and economically viable alternative to other precious metal nanoparticles.
authors: a Nanobiotechnology Lab., Department of Biotechnology , SGB Amravati University , Amravati , Maharashtra , India.
authors: Mahendra
authors: M
authors: Rai
authors: a Nanobiotechnology Lab., Department of Biotechnology , SGB Amravati University , Amravati , Maharashtra , India.
authors: Avinash P
authors: AP
authors: Ingle
authors: a Nanobiotechnology Lab., Department of Biotechnology , SGB Amravati University , Amravati , Maharashtra , India.
authors: Priti
authors: P
authors: Paralikar
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D013455:Sulfur
keywords: Sulfur nanoparticles; bioactivities; mechanism; nanotechnology; traditional medicine