Abstract
Skin infection is a major cause of hospital admissions as well as causes significant morbidity. Normal human skin is fortunately endowed with its own arsenal of defence strategies to preclude the ingress of pathogenic microbes. However, certain conditions compromise the barrier integrity of skin and permit pathogens to invade the skin. Skin infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Topical delivery is advantageous to treat skin infections as opposed to systemic delivery owing to the direct delivery of drug to site of action, thereby reducing the doses and unwanted effects at other non-target sites. The poor penetration of anti-infective agents into skin layers makes topical therapy of skin infections formidable. Nanocarriers such as liposomes, microemulsions, and lipidic nanoparticles, have the potential to deliver drugs to the skin more efficiently than conventional topical carriers such as creams, ointments, etc. These systems have been explored by various researchers for topical delivery of antifungals, antivirals, and antibacterials. The increasing emergence of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains such as Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VREF) undermine the need for new antimicrobials and new delivery systems to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of existing anti-infectives. Silver nanoparticles (SNP) have as a result made a comeback into the arsenal of antimicrobials. Also, nitric oxide (NO) releasing nanoparticles have been recently explored for their antimicrobial activity. The article showcases the immense potential of an array of nanocarriers in the treatment of cutaneous infections.
Keywords: Topical delivery, anti-infective, microemulsions, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, nitric oxide
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Role of nanomaterials in fabrication of coatings, Machining and Joining
The application of nanoscience has brought about a revolution in the field of mechanical engineering by providing novel materials, boosting manufacturing processes, and generating cutting-edge products. The purpose of this special issue is to investigate the enormous impact that nanoscience has had on mechanical engineering, with a particular emphasis on ...read more
Advanced Inorganic Nanocomposites and Their Emerging Applications
This special issue collection will highlight developments on the recent trends about the synthesis of metal oxides, nanoclusters, biomaterials, 2D nanomaterials, nanocrystals, nanocomposites, etc. and their applications in electrochemical systems, tissue regeneration, energy storage and harvesting, sensors, etc. The novelty of the methods in the chemical synthesis and their characterizations, ...read more
Applicability of Nanotechnology for Performance Enhancement of Clean Energy Technologies
Population growth, industrialization, and improvement in living quality would lead to further increase in energy demand in near future. Regarding the disadvantages of fossil fuels such as fluctuations in their price, high emissions of greenhouse gases and restriction of their sources, it is crucial to use and exploit alternative energy ...read more
Graphene and 2D Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion
This thematic issue will discuss the recent advances in graphene-based nanomaterials for different energy technologies. Graphene possesses a high surface area, and stable structure and exhibits many interesting electronic, optical, and mechanical properties due to its 2D crystal structure. Graphene is of both fundamental interest and suitable for a wide ...read more
Related Books
Nanoscale Field Effect Transistors: Emerging Applications
Nanoelectronics Devices: Design, Materials, and Applications Part II
Nanoelectronics Devices: Design, Materials, and Applications (Part I)
Role of Nanotechnology in Cancer Therapy
Synthesis and Applications of Semiconductor Nanostructures
Pathways to Green Nanomaterials: Plants as Raw Materials, Reducing Agents and Hosts
Applications of Nanomaterials in Medical Procedures and Treatments
Synthesis of Nanomaterials
Nanobiotechnology: Principles and Applications
Bio-Inspired Nanotechnology
19