Pathogenic bacteria remain the primary health concern even after developing a broad spectrum of antibiotics. The emergence of drug-resistant strains increased mortality, perhaps resulting in a never-ending future pandemic. The researchers are currently concentrating their efforts on nanotechnology-based therapies to counteract resistance. The present review focuses on the antimicrobial characteristics of plant-mediated gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). First, the methodology and importance of green synthesis are highlighted. Variability in NPs characterization methods was identified, with dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and thermogravimetric analysis limited to a few investigations. Second, the Au NPs synthesized using different plant extracts were found to be broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger, etc. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations range (1.95–15.62 µg/mL) was observed with Au NPs synthesized using Thymus vulgaris extract against Staphylococcus aureus, P. aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and E. coli. The effect was more pronounced with smaller NPs (<10 nm). The activity of Au NPs might be mediated through a two-way attack which includes nanoparticles’ diverse mechanisms like reactive oxygen species generation, etc., and surface-attached phytocompounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, terpenoids, tannins, etc. The futuristic role of nanotechnology-based interventions in managing microbial infections is imperative. Synergistic interactions of Au NPs with antibiotics, toxicity profiling, stability, and bioavailability could be major areas of NPs research.

中文翻译：

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阐明植物提取物介导的金纳米粒子作为智能抗菌剂的作用：双向攻击

即使在开发出广谱抗生素之后，致病菌仍然是主要的健康问题。耐药菌株的出现增加了死亡率，或许会导致未来永无休止的大流行。研究人员目前正集中精力研究基于纳米技术的疗法来对抗耐药性。本综述重点关注植物介导的金纳米颗粒（Au NP）的抗菌特性。首先，强调了绿色合成的方法论和重要性。纳米颗粒表征方法的可变性已被确定，动态光散射、zeta 电位和热重分析仅限于少数研究。其次，使用不同植物提取物合成的金纳米粒子被发现是针对细菌的广谱抗菌剂。铜绿假单胞菌、大肠杆菌、新型隐球菌、光滑念珠菌、黑曲霉等。 使用百里香提取物合成的金纳米粒子对金黄色葡萄球菌、铜绿假单胞菌、枯草芽孢杆菌和大肠杆菌。对于较小的纳米粒子（<10 nm），效果更为明显。Au NP 的活性可能是通过双向攻击介导的，其中包括纳米颗粒的多种机制，如活性氧生成等，以及表面附着的植物化合物，如黄酮类、生物碱、酚类、萜类、单宁等。基于纳米技术的干预措施在管理微生物感染方面的作用势在必行。Au NP 与抗生素的协同相互作用、毒性分析、稳定性和生物利用度可能是 NP 研究的主要领域。