Precision Drug Delivery to Tackle Antibiotic Resistance

Abstract

The global emergence of antibacterial resistance poses a severe threat to human life, echoing Alexander Fleming's cautionary prediction about the misuse of antibiotics. In the current era, many existing antibacterials are increasingly losing effectiveness against various microorganisms. Overuse and suboptimal exposure provide fertile ground for microbial thriving and the development of resistance through mechanisms like cell membrane protection, target modification, enzymatic inactivation, and drug efflux. Conventional drug delivery systems struggle against this evolving bacterial resistance. Consequently, there's a pressing need for innovative strategies to combat antibacterial drug resistance. Nanotechnology-based targeted drug delivery systems offer a promising solution. These systems enhance drug solubility, permeability, bioavailability, stability, and efficacy while minimizing toxicity. This chapter explores the concept of targeted drug delivery to address antibacterial resistance, focusing on mechanisms, approaches, and recent advancements.