Silver Nanoparticles: Bactericidal and Mechanistic Approach against Drug Resistant Pathogens

Abstract

This review highlights the different modes of synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from their elemental state to particle format and their mechanism of action against multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens. Various studies have demonstrated that the AgNPs cause oxidative stress, protein dysfunction, membrane disruption, and DNA damage in bacteria, ultimately leading to bacterial death. AgNPs have also been found to alter the adhesion of bacterial cells to prevent biofilm formation. The benefits of using AgNPs in medicine are, to some extent, counter-weighted by their toxic effect on humans and the environment. In this review, we have compiled recent studies demonstrating the antibacterial activity of AgNPs, and we are discussing the known mechanisms of action of AgNPs against bacterial pathogens. Ongoing clinical trials involving AgNPs are briefly presented. A particular focus is placed on the mechanism of interaction of AgNPs with bacterial biofilms, which are a significant pathogenicity determinant. A brief overview of the use of AgNPs in other medical applications (e.g., diagnostics, promotion of wound healing) and the non-medical sectors is presented. Finally, current drawbacks and limitations of AgNPs use in medicine are discussed, and perspectives for the improved future use of functionalized AgNPs in medical applications are presented.

Synthesis of novel solid scale inhibitors based on silver tungstate loaded KIT-6 for scale removal from produced water: static and modeling evaluation

“…25 Ag NPs are known for their antimicrobial properties and inhibit scale formation by disrupting bacterial biofilms that promote scale deposition. 26 WO 3 NPs have a high surface area, high catalytic activity, and good stability, making them an ideal candidate for scale inhibition applications. 15,27 In this study, solid scale inhibitors based on silver tungstate NP-loaded 3D mesoporous KIT-6 were synthesized and their scale inhibition properties were studied.…”

“…25 Ag NPs are known for their antimicrobial properties and inhibit scale formation by disrupting bacterial biofilms that promote scale deposition. 26 WO 3 NPs have a high surface area, high catalytic activity, and good stability, making them an ideal candidate for scale inhibition applications. 15,27…”

MoS2 and MoSe2 2D nanosheets-based supramolecular nanostructure scaffold-capped Ag-NPs: exploring their morphological, anti-bacterial, and anticancer properties

“…92 According to several studies, SNMs can exert their antibacterial action externally (membrane lysis, cell-wall disruption) or internally (inhibition of DNA replication or protein synthesis). 93 The probable mode of action of the three hydrogels (Ag-NPs@ SHGel-MoS 2 , Ag-NPs@SHGel-MoSe 2 , and Ag-NPs@SHGel-MoS 2 -MoSe 2 ) was investigated.…”

Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquid-Assisted Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antibacterial Activity: Experimental and Density Functional Theory Studies

“…This outcome is unexpected because E. coli is a G−ve bacterium with a lipopolysaccharide-containing outer membrane less susceptible to antimicrobial agents' penetration, as compared to G+ve S. aureus. 45,46 Conversely, Ahmad et al 47 and More et al 48 have demonstrated that the thinner peptidoglycan cell wall of G−ve bacteria is more liable to Ag NPs than their G+ve counterparts. The later possess a thick peptidoglycan layer that can act as a barrier for the cell penetration of Ag NPs and their released Ag + ions.…”