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Review
. 2012 Jun 4;3(4):82-96.
doi: 10.1016/j.jcws.2012.05.001. eCollection 2011 Dec.

Silver nanoparticles as real topical bullets for wound healing

Thirumurugan Gunasekaran  1 , Tadele Nigusse  2 , Magharla Dasaratha Dhanaraju  1
Affiliations
Review

Silver nanoparticles as real topical bullets for wound healing

Thirumurugan Gunasekaran et al. J Am Coll Clin Wound Spec. .

Abstract

Nanotechnology is on the threshold of providing a host of new materials and approaches, revolutionizing the medical and pharmaceutical fields. Several areas of medical care are already profiting from the advantage that nanotechnology offers. Recently, silver nanoparticles are attracting interest for a clinical application because of its potential biological properties such as antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and wound healing efficacy, which could be exploited in developing better dressings for wounds and ulcers. This article reviews the role of silver nanoparticles in wound healing.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Antibacterial; Bacterial resistance; Silver nanoparticles; Wound healing.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The Phases of Wound Healing Process. A, Inflammation; B, Proliferation; C, Scar Maturation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Commonly Available Topical Wound Healing Medications.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Various Mechanisms of Bacterial Resistance Against Antimicrobials.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Incorporation of Silver Nanoparticles on Cotton Fabrics. NP, nanoparticles; DI water, deionised water.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Role of the Different Cytokines and Mediators at the Various Stages of Normal Wound Healing. ILGF-1, insulin- like growth factor 1; KGF, keratinocyte growth factor; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; TGF-β 3, transforming growth factor beta 3; TGF-α, transforming growth factor alpha; HBEGF, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor; BFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor; AFGF, acidic fibroblast growth factor; TGF-β 1, 2, transforming growth factor beta 1, 2; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor alpha; IL-1, -10, interleukin 1, 10; CSF-1, colony stimulating factor 1.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The Remarkable Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Bring the Wound Closer to the Normal Skin. Silver nanoparticles play a distinct role in preventing infection, decreasing bacterial load in the wound by their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, and their surface modification properties provide easy incorporation of nano silver into cotton fabrics and drugs to improve the wound-healing treatment. Along with the above properties, the potent anti-inflammatory properties of nano silver mediated through cytokine modulation lead to better therapeutic direction in wound treatment. IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; TGF, transforming growth factor; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.
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