title: Metal oxide nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents: a promise for the future.
abstract: Microbial infectious diseases are a global threat to human health. Excess and improper use of antibiotics has created antimicrobial-resistant microbes that can defy clinical treatment. The hunt for safe and alternate antimicrobial agents is on in order to overcome such resistant micro-organisms, and the birth of nanotechnology offers promise to combat infectious organisms. Over the past two decades, metal oxide nanoparticles (MeO-NPs) have become an attractive alternative source to combat microbes that are highly resistant to various classes of antibiotics. Their vast array of physicochemical properties enables MeO-NPs to act as antimicrobial agents through various mechanisms. Apart from exhibiting antimicrobial properties, MeO-NPs also serve as carriers of drugs, thus barely providing a chance for micro-organisms to develop resistance. These immense multiple properties exhibited by MeO-NPs will have an impact on the treatment of deadly infectious diseases. This review discusses the mechanisms of action of MeO-NPs against micro-organisms, safety concerns, challenges and future perspectives.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Azhwar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raghunath
authors.affiliation: Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic address: ekas2009@buc.edu.in.
authors.forename: Ekambaram
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perumal
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000382:microbiology*; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008670:Metals; D010087:Oxides
keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Antimicrobial agents; Mechanism of action; Metal oxide; Micro-organisms; Nanotoxicity