Abstract

The development of drug resistance in microorganisms has become one of the greatest global health challenges, as microorganisms tend to adapt to organic drugs via several mechanisms. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) in microorganisms not only increases the mortality rate of humans, but clinicians are also running out of options to treat MDR infections. A solution to this problem could be found in inorganic chemistry, where metal elements are converted in to nanoparticles that function as both drug and drug delivery agents to control microbial growth and overcome the resistance imposed on organic drugs. Nanoparticles have a high surface area to volume ratio, making them highly reactive with selective types of molecules such as bacterial/fungal cell walls. This makes nanoparticles an effective alternative to traditional chemical drugs. The development of resistance in the case of nanoparticles is almost nil. Nanoparticles of various elements have proven to be effective anti-microbial agents with several other pharmaceutical activities. Nanoparticles are also effective drug delivery agents that increase the bioavailability of drugs, enhance bioactivity, and increase drug flux into and through skin and biofilms. This chapter provides a compilation of various types of organic and inorganic nanoparticles, with their bioactivity, mode of action, synthesis, side effects, and mode of administration. Different types of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems are summarised in this chapter, along with a summary of their organ-specific drug delivery. This report can provide a detailed understanding of nanoparticles in anti-microbial applications and aid in R&D to yield future nanomedicine.