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Antibiotics
Special Issues
Biomaterial-Based Delivery Systems for Natural Antimicrobials to Overcome Microbial Resistance
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Biomaterial-Based Delivery Systems for Natural Antimicrobials to Overcome Microbial Resistance

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Antimicrobial Materials and Surfaces".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 882

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ioana Cristina Marinas

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Guest Editor
The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB), 050095 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: plant extracts; antimicrobial activity; antibiofilm activity; antioxidant activity; enzymatic activity; biomaterials; phytotoxicity; nutraceuticals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Irina Gheorghe-Barbu

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: antimicrobial resistance; bacterial and fungi biochemical support modulated by plant extracts; nanoparticles; nanomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ilda Czobor-Barbu

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: molecular epidemiology of antibiotic resistance; biocides resistance; mobile genetic elements

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to public health, necessitating novel approaches to tackle resistant microorganisms. Phytocompounds, or plant-derived bioactive chemicals, are a viable alternative to traditional antibiotics due to their broad antibacterial activities and low amount of side effects. Beyond direct antimicrobial action, these compounds can modulate microbial virulence and pathogenicity even without exerting a microbicidal effect. However, their practical application in clinical and industrial settings is typically impeded by difficulties, such as low stability, limited bioavailability, and rapid degradation. Advanced biomaterials, including nanoparticles, polymers, and biopolymers, offer a robust platform to address these challenges by facilitating the controlled, targeted, and sustained release of phytochemicals. This area of study focuses on the design and development of biomaterial systems, including hydrogels, biodegradable polymers, and nanostructures, in order to improve phytochemical efficacy and durability against resistant microorganisms. Mechanisms such as membrane rupture, efflux pump inhibition, and biofilm inhibition development are especially important, as are strategies for adjusting release profiles under specific physiological or environmental conditions. Furthermore, including natural compounds into biomaterial matrices not only enhances their antibacterial efficacy but also mitigates the risk of resistance development. This topic emphasizes the exciting potential of biomaterial-based delivery methods in combating AMR, as well as their significance in long-term and creative treatment options.

Dr. Ioana Cristina Marinas
Dr. Irina Gheorghe-Barbu
Dr. Ilda Czobor-Barbu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
  • virulence and pathogenicity
  • phytocompounds
  • biomaterials
  • controlled release
  • nanoparticles
  • biopolymers
  • targeted delivery
  • biofilm prevention
  • sustainable therapeutics

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

52 pages, 3961 KB  
Article
Piper nigrum Extract as an Adjuvant in a Collagen System for Infected Wound Healing: Therapeutic Synergy and Biocompatibility
by Virgina Silviana Becherescu Barbu, Ioana Cristina Marinas, Diana Madalina Gaboreanu, Ionela Cristina Voinea, Oana Brincoveanu, Elisabeta-Irina Geana, Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea, Adina Boldeiu, Andra Maria Paun, Catalina Mares, Marian Angheloiu, Alice-Stefania Serbanoiu and Speranta Avram
Antibiotics 2025, 14(11), 1166; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14111166 - 17 Nov 2025
Viewed by 607
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Natural plant-based compounds, especially black pepper extract, are known to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant qualities that promote procollagen formation and wound healing. This study focused on developing a collagen-based composite enriched with P. nigrum extract in powder form, designed to [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Natural plant-based compounds, especially black pepper extract, are known to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant qualities that promote procollagen formation and wound healing. This study focused on developing a collagen-based composite enriched with P. nigrum extract in powder form, designed to enhance the efficacy of the antibiotic cefazolin while promoting the healing of chronic wounds. Methods: The polyphenolic P. nigrum extract was obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction and was characterised by UHPLC-MS/MS and spectrophotometry. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were assessed using conventional methods. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were evaluated for the specific taxon compounds using Deep-RK. P. nigrum extract was incorporated into a collagen hydrogel with arginine and freeze-dried. The powders were characterised by FTIR, SEM, TGA-DSC, and DLS. The antimicrobial activity and potential synergistic effects with cefazolin were evaluated on reference microbial strains and isolates from infected wounds. Biocompatibility and hemocompatibility were evaluated, as well as wound closure in vitro. Results: Polyphenols, including phenolic acids, stilbenes, anthocyanins, and flavonoids, which provide a potent antioxidant capacity through electron transfer mechanisms (FRAP, CUPRAC), were abundant in the P. nigrum extract. FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed the integration of phenolic compounds into the collagen–arginine matrix without protein denaturation. TGA–DSC data showed thermal stabilisation at moderate extract concentrations. The extract exhibited predominantly bacteriostatic antibacterial activity and antibiofilm effects, with synergy/additivity with cefazolin, especially at medium doses. Tests on keratinocytes confirmed biocompatibility, and hemocompatibility demonstrated an excellent safety profile, with protection against AAPH-induced oxidative stress. Conclusions: Overall, collagen powders with P. nigrum extract at moderate/low concentrations combine stability, antibiotic-enhanced activity, and cellular compatibility, making them promising adjuvants for the topical treatment of chronically infected wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterial-Based Delivery Systems for Natural Antimicrobials to Overcome Microbial Resistance)
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