A novel strategy for antimicrobial agents: Silver nanoparticles

Metals, such as copper, gold, and silver, have typically been used for the synthesis of stable dispersions of nanoparticles. Metallic nanoparticles have high biocompatibility owing to their high surface area to lack of charge, volume ratio, and lack of toxicity to humans. In particular, silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag) are widely used in the field of pathogenic microbiology owing to their potent antimicrobial activities. Their antimicrobial efficacy has been evaluated against bacteria, viruses, and other eukaryotic microbes based on interactions with membranes or cell walls, DNA, or proteins. Nano-Ag exerts antimicrobial activity via a variety of mechanisms, e.g., membrane disruption, apoptosis, and synergy. Accordingly, nano-Ag has wide applications ranging from burn treatments to silver-coated medicinal devices, such as coating stainless steel materials, dental materials, nanogels, nanolotions, etc. Nano-Ag is a potential alternative strategy for the development of cosmetic and pharmacological agents for pathogens that are resistant to existing antibiotics.