Antimicrobial Properties of Nonantibiotic Agents for Effective Treatment of Localized Wound Infections: A Minireview

Wounds present serious health problems in humans and animals. Importantly, if left untreated, wounds invariably lead to long-term morbidity. The inappropriate use and costs of antibiotics place significant challenges globally and affect the health budgets of many countries. Though some antibiotics are administered systemically, treatment of localized infections, in particular, chronic wound infections, does not need such therapy—this would minimize development of antibiotic resistance. Of these measures, nanoparticles of silver, ZnO, and gold seem to give promising results against common wound pathogens while having few limitations. Chemical components of essential oils, which are extracted from different plants, have been shown to act against common wound pathogens. Plant extracts have shown different mechanisms in biofilm elimination. Chlorhexidine and chlorine derivatives act as wound antiseptics. Attempts with biological agents such as maggots have also been shown to provide anti-infective as well as mechanical removal of wound debris. Honey, including those obtained from bees, has a wide coverage against wound pathogens. Glycerin and hypertonic saline are anti-infective through the concentration-dependent killing of pathogens. Hyperbaric oxygen acts against many wound pathogens, in particular anaerobes. This review is focused on nonantibiotic attempts for the cure of localized infections, in particular, chronic wounds with common wound pathogens.