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Review
. 2018 Oct 26;7(4):93.
doi: 10.3390/antibiotics7040093.

Antimicrobial Silver in Medicinal and Consumer Applications: A Patent Review of the Past Decade (2007⁻2017)

Wilson Sim  1 , Ross T Barnard  2   3 , M A T Blaskovich  4 , Zyta M Ziora  5
Affiliations
Review

Antimicrobial Silver in Medicinal and Consumer Applications: A Patent Review of the Past Decade (2007⁻2017)

Wilson Sim et al. Antibiotics (Basel). .

Abstract

The use of silver to control infections was common in ancient civilizations. In recent years, this material has resurfaced as a therapeutic option due to the increasing prevalence of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials. This renewed interest has prompted researchers to investigate how the antimicrobial properties of silver might be enhanced, thus broadening the possibilities for antimicrobial applications. This review presents a compilation of patented products utilizing any forms of silver for its bactericidal actions in the decade 2007⁻2017. It analyses the trends in patent applications related to different forms of silver and their use for antimicrobial purposes. Based on the retrospective view of registered patents, statements of prognosis are also presented with a view to heightening awareness of potential industrial and health care applications.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance; antimicrobial activity; medicinal silver; patents; silver; silver nanoparticles; synergism.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Silver’s action on a bacterial cell. 1. Silver can perforate the peptidoglycan cell wall. 2. Silver inhibits the cell respiration cycle. 3. Metabolic pathways are also inhibited when in contact with silver. 4. Replication cycle of the cell is disrupted by silver particles via interaction with DNA.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mepilex® Ag with instructions for application. Images used with permission of Mölnlycke Health care, Sweden.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Commercial utilization of silver in consumer product lines, including Elastoplast (First aid bandages) and NIVEA (Shower gels and deodorants) for enhanced antimicrobial properties. Images used with permission of Beiersdorf AG, Germany.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Trend analysis of yearly number of patent registrations involving antimicrobial silver applications over the past decade.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Analysis of language of patent registrations involving antimicrobial silver over the past decade with major contribution of Chinese (55%), English (25%), Korean (7%), Japanese (8%), and others (5%).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Total patents registered globally for silver used in the medical field compared to all other applications.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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