Role of small molecules and nanoparticles in effective inhibition of microbial biofilms: A ray of hope in combating microbial resistance

• Published in: Microbial pathogenesis Vol. 188; p. 106543
• Main Authors: Gattu, Rohith, Ramesh, Sanjay S., Ramesh, Suhas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Biofilm inhibition; Microbial resistance; Nanoparticles; Small molecules; Biofilm inhibition; MIC; Small molecules; EDG; MBIC; MBC; Nanoparticles; TEA; DMF-DMA; EWG; MBEC; MRSA; XTT; Microbial resistance; BMIC; SEM; CLSM; DMF; BIC
• ISSN: 0882-4010; 1096-1208
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106543

Microbial biofilms pose a severe threat to global health, as they are associated with deadly chronic infections and antibiotic resistance. To date, very few drugs are in clinical practice that specifically target microbial biofilms. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutic options targeting biofilm-related infections. In this review, we discuss nearly seventy-five different molecular scaffolds published over the last decade (2010–2023) which have exhibited their biofilm inhibition potential. For convenience, we have classified these into five different sub-groups based on their origin and design (excluding peptides as they are placed in between small molecules and biologics), namely, heterocycles; inorganic small molecules & metal complexes; small molecules decorated nanoparticles; small molecules derived from natural products (both plant and marine sources); and small molecules designed by in-silico approach. These antibiofilm agents are capable of disrupting microbial biofilms and can offer a promising avenue for future developments in human medicine. A hitherto review of this kind will lay a platform for the researchers to find new molecular entities to curb the serious menace of antimicrobial resistance especially caused by biofilms. [Display omitted] •Biofilms are microbial communities enclosed in a self-produced matrix, adhering to surfaces.•Biofilms are associated with life-threatening chronic infections and also cause antibiotic resistance.•Currently, very few drugs are in clinical practice that specifically target microbial biofilms.•This review provides a through and comprehensive overview on the role of different small molecules to prevent/inhibit biofilms.