Breaking barriers in antimicrobial therapy: resistance mechanisms and novel antimicrobial strategies

This review highlights the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), driven by mechanisms such as reduced drug uptake, target modification, enzymatic inactivation, efflux pumps, metabolic changes, biofilm formation, and horizontal gene transfer. It emphasizes the need for continuous surveillance and prudent antimicrobial use while exploring innovative countermeasures. Promising emerging strategies include antimicrobial peptides, nanotechnology-based delivery systems, and metal-based compounds with multi-target actions like reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and membrane disruption. The review supports ongoing stewardship and provides guidance for future research and drug development against resistant pathogens.