Effect of Different Forms of Silver on Biological Objects

Abstract

Silver has been known since ancient times on account of its pronounced antiseptic properties. Currently, its antibacterial, antiviral, and fungicidal properties are highly desired in the food and cosmetic industries, in medicine, and pharmacology. Silver exhibits toxic effects not only on pathogenic organisms but also on healthy cells. Over the past 20 years, nanosilver, a new form of silver, has been introduced in various areas of industry. The transition to the nanoscale form results in the revision of standard approaches to items, including those based on this element, and the emergence of such a novel research area as nanosafety. In this review, we address the history of using different forms of silver, the mechanisms of its interaction with living cells, toxic properties, biokinetic parameters, capability for accumulation in different organs, effects on cognitive functions, and the clinically known argyrosis condition. Relevant publications are critically analyzed and conclusions are drawn. The broader incorporation of such a weakly biophilic element as silver in the biosphere and ecosphere calls for our understanding of biochemical processes underlying the interaction of this element, in its different forms, with living cells and multicellular organisms.

Untargeted Metabolomic Approach of Curcuma longa to Neurodegenerative Phytocarrier System Based on Silver Nanoparticles

“…The development and use of antibiotics have led to a drastic decline in the biomedical applications of silver. However, this generated a secondary phenomenon in short order; the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics was a turning point that demanded the identification of more effective therapeutic strategies [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…Moreover, recent research has reported that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have high microbial, antifungal, antiviral and antitumoral activity. AgNPs have the ability to cross various biological barriers in the human body [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 23 , 25 ].…”

“…Owing to their low reactivity, spherical AgNPs are one of the ingredients of the COVID-19 vaccine [ 15 , 16 ]. Although the toxicity of silver is the subject of many controversies concerning biomedical applications, recent studies have shown that the biological activity of silver is correlated with size, surface area, particle shape and dosage.…”

“…Although the toxicity of silver is the subject of many controversies concerning biomedical applications, recent studies have shown that the biological activity of silver is correlated with size, surface area, particle shape and dosage. It has been shown that the smaller the silver nanoparticles, the more harmless to the human body [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 30 ]. Coating materials represent another method to reduce the toxicity of AgNPs [ 17 , 26 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…Silver nanoparticles, owing to their unique size and versatility, high surface-to-volume ratio, biocompatibility and mobility, are able to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which represent a major limitation in the current development of active drugs [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 20 , 27 , 29 ]. The design of a performant neuroprotective phytoengineered carrier system based on AgNPs represents an innovative alternative that can overcome the limitation of current therapeutic strategies, tracing specific organ and molecular targets linked to neurodegeneration.…”