Antimicrobial Treatment of Polymeric Medical Devices by Silver Nanomaterials and Related Technology

Abstract

Antimicrobial biocompatible polymers form a group of highly desirable materials in medicinal technology that exhibit interesting thermal and mechanical properties, and high chemical resistance. There are numerous types of polymers with antimicrobial activity or antimicrobial properties conferred through their proper modification. In this review, we focus on the second type of polymers, especially those whose antimicrobial activity is conferred by nanotechnology. Nanotechnology processing is a developing area that exploits the antibacterial effects of broad-scale compounds, both organic and inorganic, to form value-added medical devices. This work gives an overview of nanostructured antimicrobial agents, especially silver ones, used together with biocompatible polymers as effective antimicrobial composites in healthcare. The bactericidal properties of non-conventional antimicrobial agents are compared with those of conventional ones and the advantages and disadvantages are discussed.

Novel metal complexes of 3‐acetylcoumarin‐2‐hydrazinobenzothiazole Schiff base: Design, structural characterizations, DNA binding, DFT calculations, molecular docking and biological studies

“…The current study reveals that metal complexes, especially those with Ag(I) and Pd (II), have more biological/antifungal activity compared to the free ligand. Silver and its compounds have long been used as antimicrobial agents in medicine because of their activity at low concentrations and the low toxicity to humans 82–84 . This antimicrobial activity may be related to a direct interaction between the Ag(I) ion and cell contents such as protein, enzymes, and the membrane.…”

Thiazole derivatives‐functionalized polyvinyl chloride nanocomposites with photostability and antimicrobial properties

“…An advantage of using Ag as an antimicrobial is because it displays low toxicity in the human body, and negligible danger is predictable due to bodily contact. Polymers enriched with Ag have the ability to retain the surfaces of devices upon contact with microorganisms thereby prevent bacterial colonization . The antimicrobial effect of Ag is dependent on apparent contact, hereby Ag can inhibit enzymatic systems of the respiratory chain and alter DNA synthesis .…”

Phytosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Myrtus communis L. Leaf Extract and Investigation of Bactericidal Activity

“…25,28,29 Due to the toxicity of silver to microorganisms, it and materials containing it are used in coatings, fillers, filters, textiles, clothes, and medical tools and devices. 28,30,31 Silver-containing nanomaterials can attach to cell walls, enter cells, 32 attach to membrane proteins and respiratory chains in mitochondria, and generate ROS 33 by catalyzing partial reduction reaction of oxygen. 34 These nanomaterials can also release silver ions, followed by protein binding (via thiol groups of protein) and inactivation, DNA binding (via phosphate groups of DNA), and alteration of the DNA structure.…”