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Pharmaceutics
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Advanced Metal-Based Nano-Drug Delivery Systems for Antimicrobial Therapy
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Advanced Metal-Based Nano-Drug Delivery Systems for Antimicrobial Therapy

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 2447

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Manuel Pernia Leal

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
Interests: nanosystems; magnetic NPs; MRI; diagnosis; cancer therapy.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are excited to announce this Special Issue of Pharmaceutics, titled “Advanced Metal-Based Nano-Drug Delivery Systems for Antimicrobial Therapy”. This Special Issue aims to gather the latest contributions on the design and synthesis of nanosystems based on nanoparticles, micelles, or hydrogels as attractive and versatile platforms for drug delivery and antimicrobial applications.

In this Special Issue, we seek to address one of the major global challenges that medicine will face in the upcoming decades, i.e., antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We believe that therapies based on the combination of nanosystems and metals offer an innovative and versatile approach to combating AMR. This strategy is attracting great interest due to its uniquely sized nanomaterials with suitable properties and the promising antimicrobial activity of metals, such as Ag, Au, Pt, Ru, and Cu.

Therefore, this Special Issue is open for submission of original research articles and reviews that include, but are not limited to, the following topics: the development of drug delivery nanosystems, metal-based nanomaterials, metal-based drugs, controlled drug release, and antimicrobial activities of antibacterial agents.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Manuel Pernia Leal
Guest Editor

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. Pharmaceutics 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

  • nanosystems
  • micelles
  • liposomes
  • nanoparticles
  • metal-based drugs
  • drug delivery
  • antimicrobial therapy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2845 KB  
Article
Biosynthesis and Biological Properties of Nano-Silver from Aspergillus terreus Towards Antibacterial and Antitumor Applications
by Diem My Vu, Bac V. G. Nguyen, Hoai Thu Le, Bao-Quoc Vu, Phuong Anh Huynh, Khanh-Duong Truong, Gia Phong Vu, Thuy Linh Ho Nguyen, Minh-Tri Le and Phuoc-Vinh Nguyen
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(2), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18020261 - 19 Feb 2026
Viewed by 480
Abstract
Background: Nanomaterials have emerged as a transformative approach in modern pharmaceutical applications, offering advanced benefits compared to conventional therapies. Among available pharmaceutical nanomaterials, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been reported with broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential and drug delivery potency. Nevertheless, some studies suggested that [...] Read more.
Background: Nanomaterials have emerged as a transformative approach in modern pharmaceutical applications, offering advanced benefits compared to conventional therapies. Among available pharmaceutical nanomaterials, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been reported with broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential and drug delivery potency. Nevertheless, some studies suggested that chemical synthesis of AgNPs might result in redundant chemicals, posing environmental and health risks. To minimize undesired products, a promising approach is to biologically synthesize this potent nanomaterial. Methods: This study ultilized an eco-friendly system for AgNPs synthesis using Aspergillus terreus isolated from the air. Physical properties of biosynthesized AgNPs were evaluated by UV–visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Antibacterial activity of biosynthesized AgNPs was examined by well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration, while in vitro cytotoxicity was used to determine the antitumor activity of AgNPs. Results: The biosynthesized AgNPs had a size of around 60 nm, a PDI inferior to 0.2, and a zeta potential of −30 mV. They exhibited potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Additionally, these nanoparticles also exerted a selective antiproliferative effect on MCF-7, A549, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Conclusions: Our research presented the potential of biosynthesized AgNPs using Aspergillus terreus for antimicrobial and anticancer applications, offering an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional chemical methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Metal-Based Nano-Drug Delivery Systems for Antimicrobial Therapy)
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27 pages, 9862 KB  
Article
Post-Synthesis Modulation of the Physicochemical Properties of Green-Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Tween 80 to Enhance Their Antibacterial Activity and Biocompatibility
by Marwa R. Bakkar, Alaa M. Ali, Gehad E. Elkhouly, Nermeen R. Raya, Terry W. Bilverstone, Nicholas P. Chatterton, Gary R. McLean and Yasmin Abo-Zeid
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(11), 1371; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17111371 - 23 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1608
Abstract
Background: Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, with negligible potential for resistance development, excellent biocompatibility, and therefore, could be promising alternatives to conventional antimicrobials. However, their industrial-scale production relies on chemical synthesis that involves toxic reagents, imposing potential environmental hazards. [...] Read more.
Background: Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, with negligible potential for resistance development, excellent biocompatibility, and therefore, could be promising alternatives to conventional antimicrobials. However, their industrial-scale production relies on chemical synthesis that involves toxic reagents, imposing potential environmental hazards. In contrast, green synthesis offers an eco-friendly alternative, but our previous study found that green-synthesized IONPs (IONPs-G) exhibited a lower antibacterial activity and a higher cytotoxicity compared to chemically synthesized counterparts, likely due to nanoparticle aggregation. Objectives: To address this challenge, the current study presents a simple, effective, economic, scalable, and eco-friendly strategy to optimize the physicochemical properties of IONPs-G post-production without requiring extensive modifications to synthesis parameters. Methods: IONPs-G were dispersed in a solvent mixture containing Tween 80 (Tw80). Subsequently, in vitro antimicrobial and in vivo cytotoxicity studies on rabbits’ skin and eye were conducted. Results: The formed nanoparticles’ dispersion (IONPs-GTw80) had a particle size of 9.7 ± 2.1 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.111 ± 0.02, and a zeta potential of −11.4 ± 2.4 mV. MIC of IONPs-GTw80 values against S. aureus and E. coli were reduced by more than ten-fold compared to IONPs-G. MBC was twice MIC, confirming the bactericidal activity of IONPs-GTw80. In vivo studies of IONPs-GTw80 confirmed their biocompatibility with intact/abraded skin and eyes; this was further confirmed by histopathological and biochemical analyses. Conclusions: IONPs-GTw80 might be recommended as a disinfectant in healthcare settings or a topical antimicrobial agent for treatment of infected wounds. Nevertheless, further studies are required for their clinical translation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Metal-Based Nano-Drug Delivery Systems for Antimicrobial Therapy)
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