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Review
. 2016 Sep 13;17(9):1534.
doi: 10.3390/ijms17091534.

Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Properties, Applications, and Therapeutic Approaches

Xi-Feng Zhang  1 , Zhi-Guo Liu  2 , Wei Shen  3 , Sangiliyandi Gurunathan  4
Affiliations
Review

Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Properties, Applications, and Therapeutic Approaches

Xi-Feng Zhang et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology radically changed the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent various diseases in all aspects of human life. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most vital and fascinating nanomaterials among several metallic nanoparticles that are involved in biomedical applications. AgNPs play an important role in nanoscience and nanotechnology, particularly in nanomedicine. Although several noble metals have been used for various purposes, AgNPs have been focused on potential applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy. In this review, we discuss the synthesis of AgNPs using physical, chemical, and biological methods. We also discuss the properties of AgNPs and methods for their characterization. More importantly, we extensively discuss the multifunctional bio-applications of AgNPs; for example, as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and anti-cancer agents, and the mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of AgNPs. In addition, we discuss therapeutic approaches and challenges for cancer therapy using AgNPs. Finally, we conclude by discussing the future perspective of AgNPs.

Keywords: applications; cancer therapy; characterization; mechanisms; silver nanoparticles; synthesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared from Bacillus species using various analytical techniques. (A) Characterization of AgNPs by X-diffraction spectra of AgNPs; (B) Fourier transform infrared spectra of AgNPs; (C) Measurement of size distribution of AgNPs by dynamic light scattering; (D) Scanning electron microscopy images of AgNPs; (E). Transmission electron microscopy images of AgNPs.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Biological synthesis of various shapes of AgNPs using culture supernatant of various Bacillus species. (A) Spherical; (B) mixed populations (octagonal, rod, hexagonal, and icosahedral); (C) highly branched; (D) flower-like in shape.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Various applications of AgNPs.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Dose-dependent antibacterial activity of biologically synthesized AgNPs in E. coli. CON: control.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Differential antibacterial activity of AgNPs synthesized with Calocybe indica extracts (F-AgNPs) and the culture supernatant of Bacillus tequilensis (B-AgNPs) as reducing agents.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Effect of AgNPs on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced proliferation of (A) bovine retinal endothelial cells (BRECs); and (B) human breast cancer cells MDA-MB 231. Cells were treated with VEGF with or without AgNPs for 24 h. Cell proliferation was determined by trypan blue exclusion assay.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Anticancer activity of biologically synthesized AgNPs using Bacillus species in human ovarian cancer and human breast cancer cells.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Biologically synthesized AgNPs using Bacillus species induce accumulation of autophagolysosomes in human ovarian cancer cells.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Morphological changes of the human ovarian cancer cell line A2780 after treatment with Salinimycin (Sal), AgNPs, and Sal plus AgNPs. A2780 cells were treated with Sal (3 μM), AgNPs (3μg/mL), and Sal plus AgNPs (3 μM plus 3 μg/mL) for 24 h, and the morphological changes of cells were observed under an inverted microscope (200×). The combination of Sal and AgNP induced significant morphological changes.
Figure 10
Figure 10
The possible mechanisms of AgNP-induced cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines. Endoplasmic reticulum stress(ER), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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