P54 Enhancing antibiotic efficacy through nanotechnology: innovations in targeted antimicrobial delivery

TL;DR

Nanotechnology improves antibiotic treatments by enabling targeted delivery, reducing side effects, and overcoming resistance.

Contribution

The paper reviews recent innovations in nanoparticle-based antibiotic delivery systems and identifies key trends for clinical application.

Findings

Polymeric, biomimetic, and inorganic nanoparticles enhance antibiotic stability and targeting.

Nanoparticles reduce systemic toxicity and improve therapeutic efficacy compared to conventional antibiotics.

Biomimetic and inorganic nanoparticles show promise in overcoming bacterial resistance mechanisms.

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance poses a growing global health threat, demanding innovative solutions to enhance treatment efficacy.1 Nanotechnology offers promising advancements by enabling precise antibiotic delivery, improving drug stability, and overcoming bacterial resistance mechanisms.2 By utilizing nanoparticles such as polymeric micelles, biomimetic structures, and inorganic materials, researchers aim to optimize antibiotic therapies.3 This study reviews recent developments in nanoparticle-mediated antibiotic delivery, highlighting key trends and future directions for clinical application.

This study aims to explore how nanotechnology can improve antibiotic efficacy by more precisely targeting bacterial infections, reducing systemic side effects, and overcoming antimicrobial resistance.

A systematic literature review was conducted across PubMed, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, covering studies published between 2020 and 2025. Peer-reviewed articles focusing on nanoparticle-based antibiotic delivery systems were included, while studies lacking transparent methodology or clinical relevance were excluded. A thematic qualitative analysis was performed to identify key trends and emerging technologies in the use of nanoparticles to enhance antibiotic therapies.

Out of 1350 studies initially identified, 45 studies met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to detailed analysis. The findings highlighted that polymer-based micelles, biomimetic liposomes, and inorganic nanoparticles are pivotal in advancing antibiotic delivery strategies. These nanoparticle (NP) systems significantly improved antibiotic stability, enabled controlled and targeted drug release, enhanced bacterial targeting, and demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy compared to conventional antibiotic formulations. Key pharmacokinetic advantages included enhanced solubility, absorption, distribution, and a notable reduction in systemic toxicity. Among the different systems, polymeric nanoparticles were the most extensively studied, showing remarkable potential in facilitating intracellular antibiotic uptake. Biomimetic nanoparticles, designed to mimic natural biological systems, enhanced drug delivery efficiency by improving biocompatibility and cellular interaction. Inorganic nanoparticles, notably silver and gold, were particularly effective in overcoming bacterial resistance by disrupting bacterial membranes and facilitating deeper antibiotic penetration.

Nanotechnology offers a powerful platform for improving antibiotic therapies by enabling targeted drug delivery, reducing adverse effects, and addressing antimicrobial resistance. Thematic analysis identified three dominant trends: the extensive use of polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery, the innovative application of biomimetic nanoparticles to enhance cellular uptake, and the utilization of inorganic nanoparticles to counteract bacterial resistance mechanisms. Despite these promising advancements, challenges remain, including ensuring consistent efficacy across diverse bacterial strains and preventing microbial adaptation to nanoparticle-based therapies. Future research should prioritize the development of optimized nanoparticle formulations, extensive clinical evaluations, and strategies for integrating nanoparticle technologies into mainstream clinical practice. Overall, nanotechnology holds great promise in revolutionizing antibiotic treatment and tackling the global threat of antimicrobial resistance.