Nanoparticles and their antimicrobial properties against pathogens including bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses
Graphical abstract
Mechanisms of antimicrobial activity of NPs against pathogens. NPs and their ions (e.g., titanium, silver and zinc) generate free radicals, and lead to induction of oxidative stress (i.e., reactive oxygen species; ROS). The generated ROS can damage and destroy the cellular components of the pathogens irreversibly, (e.g., membrane, DNA, protein and mitochondria), resulting in cell death.
Introduction
Emergence of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria resistant to antimicrobial agents has become a serious health issue; thus, many studies have been accomplished with the aim of improving the current antimicrobial methods. It is implicated that over 70% of bacterial causing poisoning and infection are resistant to one or more of the antimicrobial agents that are generally used for eradicating infection treatment of poisoning. Development of new and effective antimicrobial agents seems to be of paramount importance. Metal nanoparticles (NPs) such as copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), silver (Ag), gold (Au), and zinc (Zn), each have various antimicrobial activity properties, with potencies and spectra of activity, which have been known and applied for decades [1].
The type of materials used for preparing NPs as well as particle size are two important factors affecting resultant antimicrobial efficiency and effectiveness [2,3]. Generally, NPs have different properties compared to the same material with larger particles. In fact, surface/volume ratio of NPs increases considerably with decrease in particle size [4,5]. Indeed, in nanometer dimensions, fraction of surface molecule noticeably increases which in turn improves factors such as heat treatment, mass transfer, dissolution rate and catalytic activity [4,6].
The exact mechanisms mentioned for the antimicrobial effects of NPs are still being studied. Up to now two popular possibilities have been proposed: (a), free metal ion toxicity arising from dissolution of metals from the surface of NPs (b), oxidative stress via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the surface of NPs [7]. Moreover, morphological and physicochemical characteristics of NPs have been demonstrated to affect the antimicrobial activities of metals [2,8]. It has been proven that small NPs have stronger bactericidal effects [4,7,9,10]. Positive surface charge of metal NPs facilitates their binding to bacteria with negative surface charge which may result in enhancement of bactericidal effects [2]. The shape of NPs also influences its antimicrobial activities [11,12]. NPs have been proposed as antiviral agents using the core material and/or the ligands shell [13]. In this article, we focused on the latest findings regarding antimicrobial effects of most commonly employed NPs and their mechanism of action. Due to the promising development and wide application of NPs, understanding their non-toxicity and properties is necessary. For this reason, nanotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences have been used NPs for reducing the toxicity and side effects of drugs and other material; nevertheless, there are few safety concerns regarding NPs. According to reports, respiratory and neurological damage, circulatory problems and toxic effects of NPs are the main concerns in using NPs [[14], [15], [16]]. Indeed, several types of NPs are considered non-toxic and some of them are provided non-toxic with beneficial health effects [17]. Using NPs due to their antimicrobial activities for overcoming spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms can be considered as one of these valuable health approaches.
Section snippets
Titanium dioxide NPs (TiO2)
Antimicrobial activity of TiO2 NPs is attributed to its crystal structure, size and shape (Fig. 3) [18]. Oxidative stress caused by ROS is particularly the mechanism proposed for TiO2 NPs. As a result, ROS cause site specific DNA damage Fig. 1, Fig. 2, [19,20]. Resting stages, particularly bacterial endospores, fungal spores and protozoan cysts, are generally more resistant than the vegetative forms, possibly due to the increased cell wall thickness. The killing mechanism involves degradation
The role of NPs versus ions release on antimicrobial activities
Stress and environmental factors affect organisms' susceptibility to antibiotics by antibiotic-resistant organisms which increase in the absence of antibiotic reactions [138],environmental adaptation and protective cellular responses [139,140]. One of the most important causes of environmental stress is metal cations (namely Cu and Zn) of bacterial cell activity at low concentrations [141,142], since high concentrations lead to selective pressure and resistance to antibiotics. Antibiotics
Cell toxicity of NPs
NPs are increasingly being used as industrial catalysts. Unfortunately, only limited data are available regarding the environmental or organismal effects of NPs. The large-scale production of NPs inevitably risks human health, and the environment. It has been suggested that NP's chemical stability significantly effects their cytotoxicity. NPs with oxidizing/reducing or dissolving abilities have the capacity to be toxic in cellular organisms [312]. Therefore, prudence suggests that toxicity
Conclusion
Several studies reported that NPs because of their biological and physiochemical properties are promising as antimicrobials and therapeutic agents. But it must be remembered that they can also possibly led to adverse biological effects at the cellular levels. Therefore, after the determination non-cytotoxicity and clinical studies the NPs can find vast application as antimicrobials in the consumer and industrial products. Application of NPs could be considered as a proper alternative for many
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interests.
Acknowledgments
This review was not supported by organizational and conducted at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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