Silver Nanoparticles in Medical Applications and Toxicology

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as versatile tools in medicine owing to their distinctive physicochemical properties, including a high surface-to-volume ratio, tunable size distribution and amenability to surface functionalisation. They have been incorporated into wound dressings, implant coatings and antimicrobial textiles, exploited as carriers for targeted drug delivery, and investigated as antiviral and anticancer agents. The principal antimicrobial mechanism involves disruption of microbial membranes, release of silver ions (Ag+), and induction of reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative stress and cell death. In oncology, AgNPs are studied for direct cytotoxicity against tumour cells and as adjuncts to enhance radiotherapy or chemotherapy. However, these benefits are tempered by toxicological concerns. AgNPs can penetrate biological barriers via dermal, inhalation and oral routes, distribute systemically and accumulate in organs such as the liver, spleen and brain. Cellular uptake may trigger oxidative damage, inflammation, genotoxicity and, at high doses, organ dysfunction. Environmental persistence, potential for bioaccumulation and lack of standardised regulatory frameworks further underscore the need for rigorous safety assessment and standard protocols to balance therapeutic promise with minimising adverse effects.

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Silver Nanoparticles in Medical Applications and Toxicology publication trend

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Technical terms

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules formed by the incomplete reduction of oxygen, capable of inflicting oxidative damage on cellular components.

Argyria: A chronic condition characterised by grey-blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to prolonged silver accumulation.

Single particle ICP-MS: Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, an analytical technique for detecting and sizing individual nanoparticles in complex samples.

Lag time: In permeability experiments, the initial period before a compound begins to permeate through a barrier at a steady rate.

Cytotoxicity: The quality of being toxic to cells, typically assessed to evaluate potential harm of substances in vitro or in vivo.

References

1. Use of single particle ICP-MS to estimate silver nanoparticle penetration through baby porcine mucosa. Nanotoxicology (2021).
2. Alpha-Lipoic Acid Prevents Side Effects of Therapeutic Nanosilver without Compromising Cytotoxicity in Experimental Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (2021).
3. Colloidal silver ingestion and severe anemia – A case report. Toxicology Reports (2023).