Abstract

FUTURE PROSPECTS OF COLLOIDAL NANOPARTICLES FOR MANAGEMENT OF INTRACTABLE BLOOD-STREAM INFECTIONS: A REVIEW

*Prof. Prasanta Kumar Maiti

Abstract

Intractable blood-stream infections by multi-drug resistant microbes and cancers are two major challenges for effective management by traditional medicines. Currently available all heavy-metal based colloidal nano-particles (NPs) elicit strong evidence of anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-cancer effects by in-vitro studies for unique multi-targeted mechanism of action; but are failing to be approved drug for unacceptable cytotoxicity, geno-toxicity or immunotoxicity to the host or environmental microbes. Toxicity can be selectively reduced, exploiting their property of instant attachment to target cells with surface charge differences and selective internalization. NPs initiate PCD after interaction with reduced heavy metal atoms through excess ROS production, only after access to the cells. An effective novel class of NPs, free of such side effects has been designed, after understanding PK-PD of such products. This has been possible by using compatible serum as capping material for reduced atomic aggregations of silver (Ag0). Advantages of such NPs are prompt binding with the targets without quick degradation of bio-efficacy due to absorption of further stabilizing different plasma components as “corona protein caps”. After small rational use of self-plasma protein capped NPs, almost total consumption is possible by rapidly multiplying target cells with high negative surface charge. There remains no scope for inducing toxicity to host cells with lower surface charge differences or receptor-ligand inadequacy for endocytosis. Initial studies indicate their potent target specific action and wide margin of safety by in-vitro and in-vivo studies. Synergistic use of traditional drug may further reduce safe required dose.

Keywords: Silver Nanoparticles, Anti-microbial activity, Margin of safety, Therapeutic prospect.