Aims. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 2.5% and 7.5% copper oxide (CuO) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles on the antimicrobial activity of thermocycled polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base material against standard strains of yeast and bacteria species. Material and Methods. In this in vitro study, 150 disk-shaped (10 × 2 mm) specimens of heat-cured PMMA were prepared and divided into five groups (n = 30) to be reinforced with 2.5% CuO, 7.5% CuO, 2.5% TiO₂, or 7.5% TiO₂ nanoparticles and a control group (without nanoparticle). The specimens were thermocycled, and their antimicrobial activity was assessed against standard strains of yeast including Candida albicans and C. dubliniensis and oral bacteria species including Streptococcus mutans, S. sobrinus, S. salivarius, and S. sanguis. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests (α = 0.05). Results. Both concentrations of CuO and TiO₂ nanoparticles had significant antimicrobial activity against S. salivarius, S. sanguis, and C. dubliniensis compared with the control group ( < 0.05). Significant differences existed between both 2.5% ( = 0.006) and 7.5% CuO ( = 0.005) and the control group against S. mutans. However, TiO₂ groups were not significantly different from the control group against S. mutans. Concerning C. albicans, 7.5% TiO₂ was the only nanoparticle with significantly higher antimicrobial activity compared with the control group ( = 0.043). Conclusions. Both concentrations of CuO and TiO₂ were effective antimicrobial agents against S. salivarius, S. sanguis, and C. dubliniensis, and the concentration of CuO was effective against S. mutans. Yet, TiO₂ was not much effective. Regarding C. albicans, only 7.5% TiO₂ showed efficient antimicrobial activity.

The development of novel antifungal agents and, in particular, the widespread use of these medications over the course of the past two decades, has had a significant impact on the treatment of fungal infectious diseases. This has resulted in a complete transformation of the treatment of fungal infectious diseases. However, the widespread development of antibiotic resistance has masked the significance of such breakthroughs. Antifungal infection treatment with nanoparticles has been shown to be effective. As a result of their unique characteristics, these substances, in contrast to antibiotics in their purest form, are able to exhibit an increased anti-proliferative capacity while requiring a lower concentration than traditional drugs do in order to achieve the same effect. Decreased drug effectiveness, minimal tissue penetration throughout tissue, restricted tissue penetration, decreased bioavailability, poor drug pharmacokinetics, and low water solubility are some of the major factors contributing to the employment of antifungal medicines in delivery systems. Because of this, one of the primary goals of incorporating antifungal medications into varying sorts of nanoparticles is to reduce the negative effects of the drugs’ inherent qualities. This article provides an overview of the many types of nanoparticles, such as metal, metal oxide, and non-metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon-based nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanofibers, antifungal peptides, composites, and ZnO quantum dots, that can be used as antifungal drug delivery systems, as well as the benefits that these nanomaterials have over purified medications.

Objectives. Soft denture liners provide a favorable environment for adhesion and colonization of microorganisms. This in vitro study aimed to examine the efficacy of different concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) incorporation into soft denture liner on the biofilm formation of the microbial species. Methods. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) images from NPs were recorded. Antifungal susceptibility testing of CuO NPs against five standard strains of Candida albicans (CBS 10261, 1905, 1912, 1949, 2730), Streptococcus mutans (ATCC35668), Streptococcus sobrinus (ATCC27607), and Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC9222) was performed by the broth microdilution method with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute reference method. The biofilm inhibition percentages of CuO NPs on the soft denture liners were determined by XTT assay. Results. The characterization of CuO NPs by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses confirmed the synthesis of NPs with appropriate structure and size with a mean diameter of 18.3 ± 9.1 nm. The CuO NPs successfully inhibited the growth of the tested standard strains of C. albicans and Streptococcus spp. at concentrations ranging from 64 to 128 µg mL⁻¹. Indeed, incorporation of CuO NPs at a concentration of 500 µg mL⁻¹ into the soft denture liners exhibited a significant activity (75%) in inhibition of C. albicans. biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. The biofilm formation of C. albicans in the presence of CuO NPs was lower than Streptococcus spp. in comparison with the control group ( ). Conclusion. Incorporation of CuO NPs significantly decreased the colonization and plaque formation of the oral pathogens, especially C. albicans accumulation. These NPs may be useful as a promising agent for the antimicrobial management of soft denture liner materials.

Plant‐derived compounds have attracted considerable attention in the field of antimicrobial therapy. This interest is primarily due to their natural origin and historical evidence of their use in traditional medicine systems. These derivatives are a rich reservoir of chemical diversity that has a promising potential for the development and production of new antimicrobial agents with the least amount of side effects and risks of drug resistance. However, the delivery of plant‐derived antimicrobial agents, especially through the topical route, poses significant challenges. As the largest organ of the body, the skin acts as a first barrier against the entrance of microbial pathogens. A primary limitation to transdermal delivery of plant‐derived antimicrobial agents is their complex molecular structures, which often prevent effective absorption through the skin. Therefore, developing and promoting an effective local drug delivery system to increase the potential of antimicrobial therapy is very important and effective in public health. This review discusses delivery strategies for plant‐derived antimicrobial agents aimed at the bioavailability and stability of these compounds as well as their mode of action, ensuring targeted delivery to the site of infection with long‐lasting effects and minimizing side effects. Besides, various topical drug delivery platforms are analyzed, including nanoparticles, liposomes, and innovative application methods such as microneedles.