Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of green synthesis silver nanoparticles targeting skin and soft tissue infectious agents

Javier Mussin,Eduardo San Martín-Martínez,Gustavo Giusiano,Viviana Robles-Botero,Letizia Angiolella,Rocío Casañas-Pimentel,Florencia Rojas

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-94012-y

Abstract

Combining traditional medicine with nanotechnology therefore opens the door to innovative strategies for treating skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and also contributes to the fight against the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze is a medicinal plant used by indigenous peoples in northeastern Argentina to treat SSTIs. Spherical and stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of 14 ± 2 nm were synthesized from the aqueous extract of A. australe and silver nitrate. The antimicrobial activity against main species causing SSTIs and cytotoxicity on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of AgNP solution and its synthesis components were evaluated. Compared to its synthesis components, AgNP solution showed greater antimicrobial activity and lower cytotoxicity. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs was due to the silver and not to the metabolites of the aqueous extract present on the surface of the nanoparticles. The plant extract played an important role in the formation of stable AgNPs and acted as a modulator of cytotoxic and immune responses.

Highlights

Combining traditional medicine with nanotechnology opens the door to innovative strategies for treating skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and contributes to the fight against the rise of antimicrobial resistance
The data were transferred to Origin software for statistical analysis, which revealed a diameter of 14 ± 2 nm
Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis revealed a strong signal of elemental silver with an optical absorption band peak in the range of 3 to 4 keV, which is typical for the absorption of metallic silver nanocrystallites[35]

Summary

Introduction

Combining traditional medicine with nanotechnology opens the door to innovative strategies for treating skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and contributes to the fight against the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a common reason for consultations in primary health care centers They are clinical entities with varying manifestations, etiologies, and severities, ranging from mild to life-threatening infections. The main dermatophytes that cause human dermatomycosis belong to the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton, while Candida spp. and Malassezia spp. are the most common yeasts. These yeasts are recognized members of the human skin microbiota, but under certain conditions they can change their status and act as pathogens[2]. There is a growing interest in the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for the treatment of SSTIs due to their improved properties[8,11]

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