Vitamin-Conjugated Metallic Nanoparticles: Applications for Antimicrobial and Anti-Cancer Drug Delivery

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine and Materials Science
• Biotechnology and Drug Delivery

Background:

• Vitamin-conjugated metallic nanoparticles (VC-MNPs) integrate vitamin therapeutic potential with metal nanoparticle versatility.
• VC-MNPs enable targeted drug delivery and enhanced efficacy for infectious and malignant diseases.
• Vitamin conjugation improves targeting, antioxidant properties, and biocompatibility, reducing side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate how vitamin functionalization influences the synthesis, activity, and clinical translation of VC-MNPs.
• To discuss the mechanisms behind enhanced antimicrobial and anti-cancer effects.
• To assess challenges and future perspectives for VC-MNP clinical application.

Main Methods:

• Review of diverse synthesis methods: chemical reduction, co-precipitation, sol-gel, and green approaches.
• Evaluation of synthesis parameters' impact on nanoparticle performance.
• Analysis of mechanisms for enhanced efficacy, including cellular uptake and redox balance.

Main Results:

• Vitamin functionalization significantly modulates VC-MNP synthesis, activity, and therapeutic outcomes.
• Enhanced antimicrobial and anti-cancer efficacy is linked to improved cellular uptake and metabolic selectivity.
• Key challenges for clinical translation include stability, toxicity, regulation, and scalability.

Conclusions:

• VC-MNPs represent a promising platform for precision nanomedicine and sustainable therapeutic design.
• Further research into synthesis innovations and novel therapeutic targets is warranted.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for advancing VC-MNPs towards clinical application.