Plant-Based Nanoantibiotics: An Effective Strategy to Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance

Abstract

Commonly used antibiotics use multiple administrations for providing a continuous bac-tericidal effect but can increase systemic toxicity, as well as lead to bacterial drug resistance [1,2]. The use of plant-based antibacterial compounds in combination with conventional antibiotics to treat drug-resistant infections could be an alternative to overcoming the problem of bacterial resistance [3]. The combination of antibiotics with plant-based antibacterial compounds has been shown synergistic advantages due to the inhibition of drug efflux and the presence of alternative mechanisms of action [4]. Moreover, the nanoencapsulation of antibiotics is another effective technique to overcome antibiotic resistance [1]. Nano-encapsulated antimicrobials have a better performance in comparison with traditional antibiotics due to their small size which leads to better interaction with bacterial cells [5]. The different nanocarriers are effective in efficiently administering antibiotics by improving pharmacokinetics and accumulation while reducing the adverse effects [6]. Additionally, the surface engineering of nanocarriers provides benefits such as targeting and modulating various resistance mechanisms [7]. Furthermore, most nanocarriers are suitable platforms for co-loading of plant-based antibacterial compounds and traditional antibiotics to provide synergistic effects [8]. This study outlines recent attempts to combat infectious diseases, with a focus on the use of plant-based nanoantibiotics as novel tools to address today's issues in infectious disease treatment.