Lipid nanomaterials for the delivery of antimicrobial peptides

Publication date: Available online 23 April 2019Source: Methods in MicrobiologyAuthor(s): Thomas G. Meikle, Jamie B. Strachan, Charlotte E. ConnAbstractIn light of growing concerns regarding wide-spread antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial peptides may present a much needed alternative to currently available therapeutics, with less potential for the development of resistance in target organisms. They demonstrate broad spectrum activity, often against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as viruses and protozoa. These peptides are a subset of the larger pharmaceutical class of protein and peptide-based biopharmaceuticals, which represents the fastest growing sector of the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, the inherent chemical fragility of these compounds significantly limits their applications, and leads to problems with storage, delivery, and bioavailability. Thus, their continued use may depend upon their encapsulation in an appropriate delivery system. Lipid nanomaterials, specifically the inverse bicontinuous cubic phases, have numerous advantages as drug delivery vehicles, including good thermodynamic stability, a high internal surface area (ā‰ˆ 400 m2 gāˆ’ 1), and a structure which is stable in excess water conditions. Herein, we discuss the current research on the use of bicontinuous cubic phases as drug delivery vehicles, with specific reference to the delivery of antimicrobial peptides.
Source: Methods in Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research