Fig. 2

Nanoantibiotics mechanisms versus conventional antibiotic mechanism. A schematic illustration of nanoantibiotics (nAbts) mechanism in comparison to conventional antibiotics mechanisms. nAbts mechanisms are typically cell membrane disruption, and oxidation of cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS); interruption of transmembrane electron transport; and mitochondria and DNA damage caused by heavy metal ions and ROS. Conventional antibiotics mechanism inhibits nucleic acid transcription and function caused by quinolones, fluoroquinolones and rifamycins. Additionally, other conventional antibiotics can hinder protein synthesis, disrupt cell all synthesis or function, cause a loss of selective membrane permeability, or interfere with the synthesis of key biological components such as folic acid