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The rapid dissemination of antibiotic resistance accelerates the desire for new antibacterial agents. Here, a class of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is designed by modifying the structural parameters of a natural chickpea‐derived AMP–Leg2, termed “functionalized chickpea‐derived Leg2 antimicrobial peptides” (FCLAPs). Among the FCLAPs, KTA and KTR show superior antibacterial efficacy against the foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 (with MICs in the range of 2.5–4.7 µmol L−1) and demonstrate satisfactory feasibility in alleviating E. coli O157:H7‐induced intestinal infection. Additionally, the low cytotoxicity along with insusceptibility to antimicrobial resistance increases the potential of FCLAPs as appealing antimicrobials. Combining the multi‐omics profiling andpeptide‐membrane interaction assays, a unique dual‐targeting mode of action is characterized. To specify the antibacterial mechanism, microscopical observations, membrane‐related physicochemical properties studies, and mass spectrometry assays are further performed. Data indicate that KTA and KTR induce membrane damage by initially targeting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), thus promoting the peptides to traverse the outer membrane. Subsequently, the peptides intercalate into the peptidoglycan (PGN) layer, blocking its synthesis, and causing a collapse of membrane structure. These findings altogether imply the great potential of KTA and KTR as promising antibacterial candidates in combating the growing threat of E. coli O157:H7. Functionalized chickpea‐derived Leg2 antimicrobial peptides (FCLAPs) show superior antibacterial activity, and they combat Escherichia coli O157:H7 through a dual‐targeting mechanism. First, FCLAPs induce membrane damage by initially targeting the lipopolysaccharide, thus promoting the peptides to traverse the outer membrane. Subsequently, the peptides intercalate into the peptidoglycan layer, blocking its synthesis, and causing a collapse of membrane structure.

The alarm has been ringing over the gradually increasing drug-resistant bacteria, which calls for the development of safer antibacterial materials. Photosensitive antibacterials are considered as a promising alternative solution due to their unique light-activated antimicrobial mechanism, which in-situ produces highly reactive oxygen species on the multiple and variable active sites for the inactivation of various microbes. However, there are some factors, including phototoxicity, oxygen consumption and the risk of microbial contamination, greatly limit the efficiency and application of photosensitisers (PSs) in practical biomedical applications. Some studies have explored the synergistic effects of PSs by antibiotics, photothermal agents, antibacterial nanoparticles and biofilm-disrupting enzymes. Moreover, novel synergistic methods for improving the antibacterial ability of PSs under low-energy irradiation, hypoxia conditions and dull conditions, have been rarely reviewed yet. Herein, the authors summarised some synergistic methods and related applications of surface-functionalised photosensitive antimicrobials, which were prepared with organic antimicrobial materials, superhydrophobic surfaces, upconversion nanoparticles and energy storage structures in recent years. Finally, the authors presented the advantages and challenges of these synergistic mechanisms, and further analysed the development trend and application prospects of the surface-functionalised photosensitive antibacterials in biomedical fields.

Antimicrobial peptides are a type of small-molecule peptide that widely exist in nature and are components of the innate immunity of almost all living things. They play an important role in resisting foreign invading microorganisms. Antimicrobial peptides have a wide range of antibacterial activities against bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms. They are active against traditional antibiotic-resistant strains and do not easily induce the development of drug resistance. Therefore, they have become a hot spot of medical research and are expected to become a new substitute for fighting microbial infection and represent a new method for treating drug-resistant bacteria. This review briefly introduces the source and structural characteristics of antimicrobial peptides and describes those that have been used against common clinical microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and especially coronaviruses), focusing on their antimicrobial mechanism of action and clinical application prospects.

Bacterial infections have caused serious threats to public health due to the antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. Recently, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have been extensively investigated for biomedical applications because of their superior structural and optical properties. Great efforts have demonstrated that AuNCs conjugated with various surface ligands are promising antimicrobial agents owing to their high biocompatibility, polyvalent effect, easy modification and photothermal stability. In this review, we have highlighted the recent achievements for the utilizations of AuNCs as the antimicrobial agents. We have classified the antimicrobial AuNCs by their surface ligands including small molecules (<900 Daltons) and macromolecules (>900 Daltons). Moreover, the antimicrobial activities and mechanisms of AuNCs have been introduced into two main categories of small molecules and macromolecules, respectively. In accordance with the advancements of antimicrobial AuNCs, we further provided conclusions of current challenges and recommendations of future perspectives of antimicrobial AuNCs for fundamental researches and clinical applications.

Antibiotics played an important role in controlling the development of enteric infection. However, the emergence of antibiotic resistance and gut dysbiosis led to a growing interest in the use of natural antimicrobial agents as alternatives for therapy and disinfection. Chitosan is a nontoxic natural antimicrobial polymer and is approved by GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe by the United States Food and Drug Administration). Chitosan and chitosan derivatives can kill microbes by neutralizing negative charges on the microbial surface. Besides, chemical modifications give chitosan derivatives better water solubility and antimicrobial property. This review gives an overview of the preparation of chitosan, its derivatives, and the conjugates with other polymers and nanoparticles with better antimicrobial properties, explains the direct and indirect mechanisms of action of chitosan, and summarizes current treatment for enteric infections as well as the role of chitosan and chitosan derivatives in the antimicrobial agents in enteric infections. Finally, we suggested future directions for further research to improve the treatment of enteric infections and to develop more useful chitosan derivatives and conjugates.

Due to the vast and inappropriate use of the antibiotics, microorganisms have begun to develop resistance to the commonly used antimicrobial agents. So therefore, development of the new and effective antimicrobial agents seems to be necessary. According to some recent reports, carbon-based nanomaterials such as fullerenes, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (especially single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)) and graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles show potent antimicrobial properties. In present review, we have briefly summarized the antimicrobial activity of carbon-based nanoparticles together with their mechanism of action. Reviewed literature show that the size of carbon nanoparticles plays an important role in the inactivation of the microorganisms. As major mechanism, direct contact of microorganisms with carbon nanostructures seriously affects their cellular membrane integrity, metabolic processes and morphology. The antimicrobial activity of carbon-based nanostructures may interestingly be investigated in the near future owing to their high surface/volume ratio, large inner volume and other unique chemical and physical properties. In addition, application of functionalized carbon nanomaterials as carriers for the ordinary antibiotics possibly will decrease the associated resistance, enhance their bioavailability and provide their targeted delivery.

The investigation of novel nanoparticles with antimicrobial activity has grown in recent years due to the increased incidence of nosocomial infections occurring during hospitalization and food poisoning derived from foodborne pathogens. Antimicrobial agents are necessary in various fields in which biological contamination occurs. For example, in food packaging they are used to control food contamination by microbes, in the medical field the microbial agents are important for reducing the risk of contamination in invasive and routine interventions, and in the textile industry, they can limit the growth of microorganisms due to sweat. The combination of nanotechnology with materials that have an intrinsic antimicrobial activity can result in the development of novel antimicrobial substances. Specifically, metal-based nanoparticles have attracted much interest due to their broad effectiveness against pathogenic microorganisms due to their high surface area and high reactivity. The aim of this review was to explore the state-of-the-art in metal-based nanoparticles, focusing on their synthesis methods, types, and their antimicrobial action. Different techniques used to synthesize metal-based nanoparticles were discussed, including chemical and physical methods and “green synthesis” methods that are free of chemical agents. Although the most studied nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties are metallic or metal-oxide nanoparticles, other types of nanoparticles, such as superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles and silica-releasing systems also exhibit antimicrobial properties. Finally, since the quantification and understanding of the antimicrobial action of metal-based nanoparticles are key topics, several methods for evaluating in vitro antimicrobial activity and the most common antimicrobial mechanisms (e.g., cell damage and changes in the expression of metabolic genes) were discussed in this review.

The pervasive misuse of antibiotics has precipitated a global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), epitomized by the proliferation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Marine-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising alternatives, exhibiting broad therapeutic potential, including antimicrobial and anticancer activities. This review summarizes recent advances in marine AMPs, encompassing resource exploration, preparation methods, and biomedical applications, while addressing challenges such as instability and limited scalability. Future perspectives emphasize rational AMPs design to enhance efficacy and safety, alongside synergistic combination strategies, underscoring the potential of marine AMPs as viable interventions against drug-resistant pathogens.

This comprehensive review explores the advancements in the study of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), highlighting their potential as promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics in the context of growing antibiotic resistance. AMPs are small molecular proteins found ubiquitously in nature, exhibiting broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects, and are vital components of the innate immune system. Due to their non-specific membrane-disrupting mechanism, AMPs are emerging as effective candidates for novel anti-infective agents. The integration of AMPs with biomaterials, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, polymers, and hydrogels, enhances their stability and efficacy while offering multifunctional therapeutic benefits. These combinations promote diverse antibacterial mechanisms, including membrane disruption, intracellular metabolic interference, cell wall modulation, and immune system activation. Despite challenges, such as toxicity, stability, and resistance, innovative strategies including computer-aided design and structural modification show promise in optimizing AMPs’ activity, targeting precision, and biocompatibility. The potential for AMPs in clinical applications remains highly promising, with significant opportunities for overcoming antimicrobial resistance through novel AMP-based therapeutic strategies.

Bacterial antibiotic resistance, especially the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, urgently requires the development of effective treatment strategies. It is always of interest to delve into the mechanisms of resistance to current antibiotics and target them to promote the efficacy of existing antibiotics. In recent years, non-antibiotic compounds have played an important auxiliary role in improving the efficacy of antibiotics and promoting the treatment of drug-resistant bacteria. The combination of non-antibiotic compounds with antibiotics is considered a promising strategy against MDR bacteria. In this review, we first briefly summarize the main resistance mechanisms of current antibiotics. In addition, we propose several strategies to enhance antibiotic action based on resistance mechanisms. Then, the research progress of non-antibiotic compounds that can promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria through different mechanisms in recent years is also summarized. Finally, the development prospects and challenges of these non-antibiotic compounds in combination with antibiotics are discussed.