Potential application of chitosan stabilized silver nanoparticles for simultaneous control of dengue virus and mosquito vectors

Abstract

Dengue fever pandemic caused by dengue virus has been claimed for many lives, however, no specific treatment is available. Prevention based on vector control posed to be the most effective measure so far. The application of chitosan stabilized silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) to control larvae and adult mosquitoes has recently discovered, but their ability to inhibit Dengue virus has scarcely discussed. In this study, chitosan stabilized AgNPs have been prepared and tested against dengue virus type 1. The results showed that chitosan stabilized AgNPs can inhibit 96.66% and 98.33% dengue virus type 1 at 12.50 ppm and 25.00 ppm, respectively, without any toxicity to BHKFcɣ cells. This study confirms that chitosan stabilized AgNPs have a highly antiviral ability against dengue virus in addition to its mosquitocidal properties. This allows one to control both virus and vector simultaneously. The study suggested that chitosan stabilized AgNPs could be an effective tool to prevent the dengue epidemic.

Keywords: antiviral; chitosan; cytotoxicity; dengue virus; mosquitocidal; silver nanoparticles.