14 March 2024 | Anam Ahsan, Nicky Thomas, Timothy J. Barnes, Santhni Subramaniam, Thou Chen Loh, Paul Joyce and Clive A. Prestidge
Lipid nanocarriers (LNCs) are promising delivery systems for antibiotics and antimicrobial adjuvants to combat bacterial biofilms. Biofilms, which are communities of bacteria embedded in an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), are resistant to antibiotics and can lead to chronic infections. LNCs, including liquid crystal nanoparticles (LCNPs), liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), offer advantages such as biocompatibility, high drug loading capacity, and controlled drug release. These properties make them effective for delivering antibiotics and adjuvants that target biofilm components like EPS and quorum sensing (QS) systems. Antimicrobial adjuvants, such as EPS-degrading enzymes and QS inhibitors, can enhance antibiotic efficacy by disrupting biofilm structure and reducing bacterial resistance. LNCs can improve the penetration of antibiotics into biofilms and enhance their synergistic effects with adjuvants. Recent studies highlight the potential of LNCs in delivering combination therapies to overcome biofilm resistance. This review discusses the mechanisms of biofilm formation, challenges in eradication, and the role of LNCs in improving antimicrobial treatments. It also highlights the importance of developing safe and effective delivery systems to address the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The review emphasizes the need for innovative strategies, including the use of LNCs, to enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics and reduce the development of AMR.Lipid nanocarriers (LNCs) are promising delivery systems for antibiotics and antimicrobial adjuvants to combat bacterial biofilms. Biofilms, which are communities of bacteria embedded in an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), are resistant to antibiotics and can lead to chronic infections. LNCs, including liquid crystal nanoparticles (LCNPs), liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), offer advantages such as biocompatibility, high drug loading capacity, and controlled drug release. These properties make them effective for delivering antibiotics and adjuvants that target biofilm components like EPS and quorum sensing (QS) systems. Antimicrobial adjuvants, such as EPS-degrading enzymes and QS inhibitors, can enhance antibiotic efficacy by disrupting biofilm structure and reducing bacterial resistance. LNCs can improve the penetration of antibiotics into biofilms and enhance their synergistic effects with adjuvants. Recent studies highlight the potential of LNCs in delivering combination therapies to overcome biofilm resistance. This review discusses the mechanisms of biofilm formation, challenges in eradication, and the role of LNCs in improving antimicrobial treatments. It also highlights the importance of developing safe and effective delivery systems to address the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The review emphasizes the need for innovative strategies, including the use of LNCs, to enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics and reduce the development of AMR.