Nanotherapeutics of phytoantioxidants for microbial infections

Abstract

Microbial infections continue to appear, persist, and reemerge. Some microorganisms cause novel identified human diseases; others are formerly known microbes that are contagious to larger or new groups of population or outspreading into new geographic locations. Recently, the accessible therapies are limited for the treatment of microbial infections, intended for treating only the symptoms. Adverse effects or contradictions were found associated with these medications that make it so difficult for them in combating microbial infections. Since the existing infectious disease therapeutics are found incapable to delay or stop the spread of infections, so there is a requirement for better therapeutics strategies in controlling the microbial infection. In this context, where multi-target action is favorable in averting microbial infections, mother nature endowed us with innumerable phytoantioxidants. These phytoconstituents exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial efficacy, which prove them as promising candidates for microbial infections. This chapter describes the synthesis of various nanotherapeutics using different plants and their extracts, the synthesis processes, and their effective applications of being antioxidants and antimicrobial agents to minimize the problem of multiple drug resistance in various pathogens. Functionalized nanotherapeutics have emerged as potent drug carrier agents for drug delivery. The recent advancement and the ongoing studies in functionalization provide a way toward novel avenues for antimicrobial applications of nanotherapeutics in the medical and healthcare sectors. © 2022 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.