Harnessing the potential of bimetallic nanoparticles: Exploring a novel approach to address antimicrobial resistance

World J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2024 Feb 10;40(3):89. doi: 10.1007/s11274-024-03923-1.

Abstract

The growing global importance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in public health has prompted the creation of innovative approaches to combating the issue. In this study, the promising potential of bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) was investigated as a novel weapon against AMR. This research begins by elaborating on the gravity of the AMR problem, outlining its scope in terms of the effects on healthcare systems, and stressing the urgent need for novel solutions. Because of their unusual features and wide range of potential uses, bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs), which are tiny particles consisting of two different metal elements, have attracted a lot of interest in numerous fields. This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of the composition, structural characteristics, and several synthesis processes employed in the production of BMNPs. Additionally, it delves into the unique properties and synergistic effects that set BMNPs apart from other materials. This review also focuses on the various antimicrobial activities shown by bimetallic nanoparticles, such as the rupturing of microbial cell membranes, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the regulation of biofilm formation. An extensive review of in vitro studies confirms the remarkable antibacterial activity of BMNPs against a variety of pathogens and sheds light on the dose-response relationship. The efficacy and safety of BMNPs in practical applications are assessed in this study. It also delves into the synergistic effects of BMNPs with traditional antimicrobial drugs and their ability to overcome multidrug resistance, providing mechanistic insight into these phenomena. Wound healing, infection prevention, and antimicrobial coatings on medical equipment are only some of the clinical applications of BMNPs that are examined, along with the difficulties and possible rewards of clinical translation. This review covers nanoparticle-based antibacterial regulation and emerging uses. The essay concludes with prospects for hybrid systems, site-specific targeting, and nanoparticle-mediated gene and drug delivery. In summary, bimetallic nanoparticles have surfaced as a potential solution, offering the public a more promising and healthier future.

Keywords: Antibiotics; Antimicrobial resistance; Bimetallic nanoparticles; Drug delivery; Multidrug resistance; Synergistic effects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Infective Agents* / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents