Biomedical Applications of Silver Nanoparticles: An Up-to-Date Overview

Abstract

During the past few years, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) became one of the most investigated and explored nanotechnology-derived nanostructures, given the fact that nanosilver-based materials proved to have interesting, challenging, and promising characteristics suitable for various biomedical applications. Among modern biomedical potential of AgNPs, tremendous interest is oriented toward the therapeutically enhanced personalized healthcare practice. AgNPs proved to have genuine features and impressive potential for the development of novel antimicrobial agents, drug-delivery formulations, detection and diagnosis platforms, biomaterial and medical device coatings, tissue restoration and regeneration materials, complex healthcare condition strategies, and performance-enhanced therapeutic alternatives. Given the impressive biomedical-related potential applications of AgNPs, impressive efforts were undertaken on understanding the intricate mechanisms of their biological interactions and possible toxic effects. Within this review, we focused on the latest data regarding the biomedical use of AgNP-based nanostructures, including aspects related to their potential toxicity, unique physiochemical properties, and biofunctional behaviors, discussing herein the intrinsic anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities of silver-based nanostructures.

Urinary Catheter Coating Modifications: The Race against Catheter-Associated Infections

“…Nanoparticles have become popular as a drug delivery system since they improve bioavailability by enhancing solubility, stability, and biodistribution [88]. Nanoparticles have been used to deliver metals including silver [51,85,[89][90][91], gold [92], copper [93][94][95], and zinc [96]. These metal nanoparticles in the context of urinary catheters will be discussed below.…”

“…Silver ions have shown mixed results as described above. Additionally, to their toxicity to the host, silver ions irreversibly bind to proteins or molecules, decreasing their antimicrobial activity [89]. However, despite their shortfalls, silver has been incorporated into nanoparticles to overcome some of the negative effects and shown almost identical mechanisms of action [89,90].…”

“…Additionally, to their toxicity to the host, silver ions irreversibly bind to proteins or molecules, decreasing their antimicrobial activity [89]. However, despite their shortfalls, silver has been incorporated into nanoparticles to overcome some of the negative effects and shown almost identical mechanisms of action [89,90]. Roe and collaborators showed that silver nanoparticles-coated plastic catheters reduce biofilm formation and growth of several pathogens including E. coli, Enterococcus spp.…”

“…Alshehri and collaborators showed that silver nanoparticles embedded in hydrogel coating were successful in inhibiting growth of E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, S. aureus, and P. mirabilis [51]. Despite these positive results, their overall antimicrobial efficiency compared to silver ions is still debated [89].…”

Drug repurposing for new, efficient, broad spectrum antivirals

“…The antibacterial effect of silver metal has been known from ancient times (Barillo and Marx, 2014). Recent advances in nanotechnology have allowed the introduction of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for biomedical applications (Burdusel et al, 2018). AgNPs can be prepared by several techniques, including physical, chemical and biological methods.…”