Abstract

Today, the raise in the rate of infectious diseases and the emergence of Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) bacteria has resulted in an increased number of associated hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections and mortality, so there is an urgent need to develop alternative antimicrobial strategies. For this purpose, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have demonstrated potent antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. In contrast to the conventional antibiotics, they are able to inhibit or interfere with bacterial Quorum Sensing (QS) and biofilm formation. Also, they are less sensitive to the development of resistance towards microorganisms. In addition, their zinc’s immunomodulatory effects contribute to the antimicrobial activity of conventional antibiotics. Moreover, there have been reported synergistic effects of ZnO NPs with various antibiotics. However, it is important to note that even though ZnO NPs have a wide range of antibacterial activities toward various microorganisms; their antimicrobial properties depend on the different morphologies, size and shape they have. Finally, although there have been proposed different mechanisms through which ZnO NPs exert their antimicrobial action, they are not yet fully understood.

Keywords:Zinc oxide nanoparticles; Antibiotic therapy; Infectious diseases; Multiple drug resistance

Abbreviations:MDR: Multidrug-Resistant; ZnO NPs: Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles; QS: Quorum Sensing; IL- 8: Cytokine-8; PMNs: Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes Cells; PK: Pancreatin Enzyme; MRSA: Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus; ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species; NO: Nitric Oxide; GAL: β-Galactosidase; AMR: Antimicrobial Resistance