Silver Nanoparticles as Potential Antibacterial Agents

Abstract

Multi-drug resistance is a growing problem in the treatment of infectious diseases and the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics has produced antibiotic resistance for many human bacterial pathogens. Advances in nanotechnology have opened new horizons in nanomedicine, allowing the synthesis of nanoparticles that can be assembled into complex architectures. Novel studies and technologies are devoted to understanding the mechanisms of disease for the design of new drugs, but unfortunately infectious diseases continue to be a major health burden worldwide. Since ancient times, silver was known for its anti-bacterial effects and for centuries it has been used for prevention and control of disparate infections. Currently nanotechnology and nanomaterials are fully integrated in common applications and objects that we use every day. In addition, the silver nanoparticles are attracting much interest because of their potent antibacterial activity. Many studies have also shown an important activity of silver nanoparticles against bacterial biofilms. This review aims to OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2015, 20 8857 summarize the emerging efforts to address current challenges and solutions in the treatment of infectious diseases, particularly the use of nanosilver antimicrobials.

Assessment of antibacterial activity of two different sizes of colloidal silver nanoparticle (cAgNPs) against Vibrio harveyi isolated from shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

“…There are several antimicrobial mechanisms reported by researchers (Morones et al 2005;Kim et al 2007;Sanpui et al 2008;Rai et al 2009;Chudobova et al 2013). Overall, combinations of mechanisms include: cell membrane disruption, denaturation of ribosomes, enzymes and proteins inactivation, depletion of intracellular ATP levels, decrease DNA replication (Feng et al 2000;Li et al 2010;Chudobova et al 2013), formation of free radicals (hydroxyl and ROS), oxidative stress and inactivating the respiratory chain (Chudobova et al 2013;Zhang et al 2014;Franci et al 2015). This reveals that more studied are required to evaluate antibacterial mechanisms of AgNPs on bacterial pathogens in aquatics.…”

Improved Yield of Green Synthesized Crystalline Silver Nanoparticles With Potential Antioxidant Activity

“…Recently, there is a great need of silver nanoparticles because of their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties 1,2 . Commercially, SNPs are synthesized by means of chemical methods using reducing agents such as sodium borohydride, hydrazine, N, N-dimethylformamide in the presence of stabilizers like triphenylphosphine, citrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone [3][4][5] .…”

The effect of biologically and chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on biofilm formation

“…Then, the freshly grown bacterial culture was centrifuged and the supernatant was collected and filtered through sterile 0.22-µm filter to sterile flasks. Cell free supernatant was subjected to synthesis of AgNPs [9].…”

“…Several reports have successfully demonstrated that AgNPs have antimicrobial activity against a broad range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive including the pathogenic bacteria [9]. To determine the antibacterial effectiveness of AgNPs and consequences of their release into environment, studying the effect of AgNPs on biofilms is important because bacteria are often present in biofilm communities.…”