Therapeutic Potential of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs)

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 2548

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Chemistry Department and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3800-724 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: nanomaterials; biomedical applications; environmental applications
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Dear Colleagues,

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained significant attention in the field of biomedicine, primarily for their antimicrobial properties. However, these versatile nanoparticles are now emerging as multifaceted therapeutic agents capable of being used to address a wide range of diseases. AgNPs exhibit size- and shape-dependent properties, allowing them to be tailored for specific applications. Their high surface-area-to-volume ratio and active surface enable precise control over surface charge and functionalization, further expanding their utility. Additionally, AgNPs possess localized surface plasmonic resonance, which holds promise for photo-assisted therapies.                  

AgNPs can be synthesized through various methods, with chemical reduction synthesis being the most commonly used. However, the utilization of biological methods and the adoption of green chemistry approaches are on the rise, aligning with sustainability objectives.                  

This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in the utilization of AgNPs for therapeutic purposes, ranging from traditional antibacterial applications to innovative uses. Thus, we invite authors to submit research articles, reviews, and short communications that explore the preparation and application of AgNPs for therapeutic purposes.

Dr. Goreti Pereira
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • metallic nanostructures
  • plasmonic nanomaterials
  • photothermal therapy
  • photodynamic therapy
  • antimicrobial
  • antioxidant
  • anticancer

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 4995 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Antiviral Potential of Eco-Friendly Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Leaf Aqueous Extract of Portulaca oleracea L.
by Mohammed Ali Abdel-Rahman, Khalid S. Alshallash, Ahmed M. Eid, Saad El-Din Hassan, Mutaz Salih, Mohammed F. Hamza and Amr Fouda
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(3), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17030317 - 28 Feb 2024
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Abstract
Herein, the prospective applications of green fabricated silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) within the biomedical field were investigated. The leaf aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L., a safe, cheap, and green method, was used to fabricate Ag-NPs. The maximum plasmon resonance of synthesized NPs has [...] Read more.
Herein, the prospective applications of green fabricated silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) within the biomedical field were investigated. The leaf aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L., a safe, cheap, and green method, was used to fabricate Ag-NPs. The maximum plasmon resonance of synthesized NPs has appeared at 420 nm. The various biomolecules present in the plant extract to assemble spherical Ag-NPs with sizes of 5–40 nm were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared and transmission electron microscopy. The Ag was the major content of the formed Ag-NPs with an atomic percent of 54.95% and weight percent of 65.86%, as indicated by EDX. The crystallographic structure of synthesized NPs was confirmed by the diffraction of the X-ray. The dynamic light scattering exhibits the homogeneity and mono-dispersity nature with a polydispersity index of 0.37 in the colloidal fluid and a zeta potential value of –36 mV. The synthesized Ag-NPs exhibited promising antimicrobial efficacy toward various prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogenic microorganisms with low MIC values of 12.5 µg mL−1 and 6.25 µg mL−1, respectively. Additionally, the P. oleracea-formed Ag-NPs showed optimistic antioxidant activity assessed by DPPH and H2O2 assay methods with the highest scavenging percentages of 88.5 ± 2.3% and 76.5 ± 1.7%, respectively, at a concentration of 200 µg mL−1. Finally, the biosynthesized Ag-NPs showed high antiviral properties toward the hepatitis A virus and Cox-B4 with inhibition percentages of 79.16 ± 0.5% and 73.59 ± 0.8%, respectively. Overall, additional research is essential to explore the Ag-NP-based aqueous extract of P. oleracea for human health. In the current investigation the use of synthesized Ag-NPs as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiviral agents to protect against pathogenic microbes, degenerative diseases caused by various oxidative stresses, and deadly viruses is recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs))
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22 pages, 4080 KiB  
Article
Anti-Bacterial Activity of Green Synthesised Silver and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles against Propionibacterium acnes
by Hafez Al-Momani, Muhannad I. Massadeh, Muna Almasri, Dua’a Al Balawi, Iman Aolymat, Saja Hamed, Borhan Aldeen Albiss, Lugain Ibrahim, Hadeel Al Balawi and Sameer Al Haj Mahmoud
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(2), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17020255 - 16 Feb 2024
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Abstract
Propionibacterium acnes plays a critical role in the development of acne vulgaris. There has been a rise in the number of patients carrying P. acnes strains that are resistant to antibiotics. Thus, alternative anti-microbial agents are required. Zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs) and silver (Ag-NPs) [...] Read more.
Propionibacterium acnes plays a critical role in the development of acne vulgaris. There has been a rise in the number of patients carrying P. acnes strains that are resistant to antibiotics. Thus, alternative anti-microbial agents are required. Zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs) and silver (Ag-NPs) nanoparticles can be used against several antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The impact of Ag-NPs and ZnO-NPs against two clinical strains of P. acnes, P1 and P2, and a reference strain, NCTC747, were investigated in this research. A chemical approach for the green synthesis of Ag-NPs and ZnO-NPs from Peganum harmala was employed. The microtiter plate method was used to examine the effects of NPs on bacterial growth, biofilm development, and biofilm eradication. A broth microdilution process was performed in order to determine minimal inhibitory (MIC) concentrations. Ag-NPs and ZnO-NPs had a spherical shape and average dimensions of 10 and 50 nm, respectively. MIC values for all P. acnes strains for Ag-NPs and ZnO-NPs were 125 µg/mL and 250 µg/mL, respectively. Ag-NP and ZnO-NP concentrations of 3.9- 62.5 µg/mL and 15–62.5 µg/mL significantly inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of all P. acnes strains, respectively. ZnO-NP concentrations of 15–62.5 μg/mL significantly inhibited the growth of NCTC747 and P2 strains. The growth of P1 was impacted by concentrations of 31.25 μg/mL and 62.5 μg/mL. Biofilm formation in the NCTC747 strain was diminished by a ZnO-NP concentration of 15 μg/mL. The clinical strains of P. acnes were only affected by ZnO-NP titres of more than 31.25 μg/mL. Established P. acne biofilm biomass was significantly reduced in all strains at a Ag-NP and ZnO-NP concentration of 62.5 µg/mL. The findings demonstrated that Ag-NPs and ZnO-NPs exert an anti-bacterial effect against P. acnes. Further research is required to determine their potential utility as a treatment option for acne. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs))
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