Nanomaterials (Aug 2024)

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Promising Antibacterial Agents of New Generation

  • Tian-Guang Zhang,
  • Chao-Yu Miao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14151311
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 15
p. 1311

Abstract

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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is growing into a major public health crisis worldwide. The reducing alternatives to conventional agents starve for novel antimicrobial agents. Due to their unique magnetic properties and excellent biocompatibility, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are the most preferable nanomaterials in biomedicine, including antibacterial therapy, primarily through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. IONP characteristics, including their size, shape, surface charge, and superparamagnetism, influence their biodistribution and antibacterial activity. External magnetic fields, foreign metal doping, and surface, size, and shape modification improve the antibacterial effect of IONPs. Despite a few disadvantages, IONPs are expected to be promising antibacterial agents of a new generation.

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