How Effective are Metal Nanotherapeutic Platforms Against Bacterial Infections? A Comprehensive Review of Literature

Ying Li,1,2,* Xiaomin Xia,1,2,* Wenxue Hou,1,2 Hanlin Lv,1,2 Jie Liu,1,2 Xue Li1,2 1Department of Stomatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Stomatology, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xue Li, Department of Stomatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-1 562 143 8983, Email lixue@qdu.edu.cnAbstract: The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has been deemed a global crisis that affects humans worldwide. Novel anti-infection strategies are desperately needed because of the limitations of conventional antibiotics. However, the increasing gap between clinical demand and antimicrobial treatment innovation, as well as the membrane permeability obstacle especially in gram-negative bacteria fearfully restrict the reformation of antibacterial strategy. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have the advantages of adjustable apertures, high drug-loading rates, tailorable structures, and superior biocompatibilities, enabling their utilization as drug delivery carriers in biotherapy applications. Additionally, the metal elements in MOFs are usually bactericidal. This article provides a review of the state-of-The-art design, the underlying antibacterial mechanisms and antibacterial applications of MOF- and MOF-based drug-loading materials. In addition, the existing problems and future perspectives of MOF- and MOF-based drug-loading materials are also discussed.Keywords: MOF, nanomaterial, antibacterial, mechanism, application