Silver nanoparticles: synthesis, properties, and therapeutic applications

• Published in: Drug discovery today Vol. 20; no. 5; pp. 595 - 601
• Main Authors: Wei, Liuya, Lu, Jingran, Xu, Huizhong, Patel, Atish, Chen, Zhe-Sheng, Chen, Guofang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2015
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - chemical synthesis; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Antiviral Agents - chemical synthesis; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Humans; Metal Nanoparticles - adverse effects; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - therapeutic use; Nanomedicine - methods; Photosensitizing Agents - chemical synthesis; Photosensitizing Agents - therapeutic use; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents - chemical synthesis; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents - therapeutic use; Risk Assessment; Silver Compounds - adverse effects; Silver Compounds - chemical synthesis; Silver Compounds - therapeutic use; Surface Properties; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1359-6446; 1878-5832
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.11.014

•AgNPs possess intrinsic therapeutic properties for biomedical applications.•AgNPs are employed in newly emerging applications as photosensitizers/radiosensitizers, antiviral and anticancer agents.•Treatment of a variety of cancers with AgNPs has been documented with AgNPs.•The underlying anticancer mechanisms of AgNPs include (1) disruption of cell membranes, and (2) production of reactive oxygen species and Ag+ to damage protein or DNA.•The photosensitizing mechanism of AgNPs is based on nonradiative decay converting photo energy to thermal energy. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in biomedical fields because of their intrinsic therapeutic properties. Here, we introduce methods of synthesizing AgNPs and discuss their physicochemical, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and toxicity properties. We also review the impact of AgNPs on human health and the environment along with the underlying mechanisms. More importantly, we highlight the newly emerging applications of AgNPs as antiviral agents, photosensitizers and/or radiosensitizers, and anticancer therapeutic agents in the treatment of leukemia, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, and skin and/or oral carcinoma.