Metal-Based Antibiotics and Therapeutics

Dear Colleagues,

The use of metals and their salts as antiseptics dates back to ancient times, with applications documented across various civilizations. Among these, silver nitrate was employed extensively for its antimicrobial properties and maintained clinical significance as a topical antiseptic and antibacterial agent until the Second World War. A prominent example of continued medical relevance is silver sulfadiazine, which is primarily used for the treatment of burn wounds. This compound is included in the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, reflecting its critical role in basic health care.

The efficacy of traditional antibiotics is increasingly compromised by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global phenomenon driven by the adaptive mechanisms of microorganisms. Bacteria and other pathogens acquire resistance through genetic mutations and horizontal gene transfer, leading to reduced drug susceptibility and treatment failure. AMR affects both community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections, placing considerable strain on healthcare systems. If current trends persist, it is projected that by 2050, deaths from infections due antibiotic-resistant diseases could surpass deaths from cancer, underscoring the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies.

In recent years, research efforts have focused on metal-based antibiotics, materials, nanoparticles, and related metallotherapeutics that act through mechanisms distinct from those of conventional agents. These compounds may interact with microbial membranes, proteins, or genetic material in ways that limit the development of resistance. Studies continue to investigate the biological activity, stability, and specificity of metal complexes, with the goal of expanding the current antimicrobial arsenal.

This Special Issue on "Metal-Based Antibiotics and Therapeutics" aims to provide an overview of this increasingly diversified topic, presenting current advancements and the most recent research with a focus on the function of compounds containing silver, gold, copper, zinc, and other metal ions as antibiotics. This Special Issue will provide readers with a more comprehensive understanding of antibacterial metal complexes.

Prof. Dr. Sotiris K Hadjikakou
Dr. Christina N. Banti
Guest Editors

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• biological inorganic chemistry
• metallotherapeutics
• metal-based antibiotics
• antimicrobial compounds
• antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
• antimicrobials materials or nanoparticles
• active medical devices