Transition metal-based nanoparticles as potential antimicrobial agents: recent advancements, mechanistic, challenges, and future prospects

Bacterial transmission is considered one of the potential risks for communicable diseases, requiring promising antibiotics. Traditional drugs possess a limited spectrum of effectiveness, and their frequent administration reduces effectiveness and develops resistivity. In such a situation, we are left with the option of developing novel antibiotics with higher efficiency. In this regard, nanoparticles (NPs) may play a pivotal role in managing such medical situations due to their distinct physiochemical characteristics and impressive biocompatibility. Metallic NPs are found to possess extraordinary antibacterial effects that are useful in vitro as well as in vivo as self-modified therapeutic agents. Due to their wide range of antibacterial efficacy, they have potential therapeutic applications via diverse antibacterial routes. NPs not only restrict the development of bacterial resistance, but they also broaden the scope of antibacterial action without binding the bacterial cell directly to a particular receptor with promising effectiveness against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbes. This review aimed at exploring the most relevant types of metal NPs employed as antimicrobial agents, particularly those based on Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn metals, and their antimicrobial mechanisms. Further, the challenges and future prospects of NPs in biological applications are also discussed.

Automated summary

The transmission of bacteria poses potential risks for communicable diseases, necessitating the development of promising antibiotics. Traditional drugs have limited effectiveness and frequent administration leads to reduced effectiveness and the development of resistance. Nanoparticles (NPs) with distinct physiochemical characteristics and biocompatibility can play a pivotal role in managing medical situations by exhibiting extraordinary antibacterial effects. Metallic NPs, particularly those based on Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn metals, have wide-ranging antibacterial efficacy and show promise as therapeutic agents. This review explores the types of metal NPs employed as antimicrobial agents and their mechanisms, as well as discussing the challenges and future prospects of NPs in biological applications.