Pharmaceutical nanotechnology: Antimicrobial peptides as potential new drugs against WHO list of critical, high, and medium priority bacteria

• Published in: European journal of medicinal chemistry Vol. 241; p. 114640
• Main Authors: Roque-Borda, Cesar Augusto, Bento da Silva, Patricia, Rodrigues, Mosar Corrêa, Di Filippo, Leonardo Delello, Duarte, Jonatas L., Chorilli, Marlus, Vicente, Eduardo Festozo, Garrido, Saulo Santesso, Rogério Pavan, Fernando
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 05.11.2022
• Subjects: AMP; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides - chemistry; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides - pharmacology; Antimicrobial Peptides; Bacteria; Carbapenem-resistant; Cephalosporin-resistant; Fluoroquinolone-resistant; Nanosystems; Nanotechnology; Pharmaceutical Preparations; World Health Organization; Carbapenem-resistant; Fluoroquinolone-resistant; AMP; Nanosystems; Nanotechnology; Cephalosporin-resistant
• ISSN: 0223-5234; 1768-3254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114640

Nanobiotechnology is a relatively unexplored area that has, nevertheless, shown relevant results in the fight against some diseases. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are biomacromolecules with potential activity against multi/extensively drug-resistant bacteria, with a lower risk of generating bacterial resistance. They can be considered an excellent biotechnological alternative to conventional drugs. However, the application of several AMPs to biological systems is hampered by their poor stability and lifetime, inactivating them completely. Therefore, nanotechnology plays an important role in the development of new AMP-based drugs, protecting and carrying the bioactive to the target. This is the first review article on the different reported nanosystems using AMPs against bacteria listed on the WHO priority list. The current shortage of information implies a nanobiotechnological potential to obtain new drugs or repurpose drugs based on the AMP-drug synergistic effect. [Display omitted] •Peptide biotechnology and targeted transport increase antimicrobial activity.•Antimicrobial peptides can eliminate multi and extremely resistant bacteria.•Nanotechnology is a promising tool to preserve the stability and improve the activity of biomacromolecules.