Abstract
Nanosilver with sizes 1–100 nm at least in one dimension is widely used due to physicochemical, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenesis, antiplatelet, antifungal, anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Three modes of the nanosilver action were suggested: “Trojan horse”, inductive, and quantum mechanical. The Ag+ cations have an affinity to thiol, amino, phosphate, and carboxyl groups. Multiple mechanisms of action towards proteins, DNA, and membranes reduce a risk of pathogen resistance but inevitably cause toxicity for cells and organisms. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are known to generate two reactive oxygen species (ROS)-superoxide (•O2−) and hydroxyl (•OH) radicals, which inhibit the cellular antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and cause mechanical damage of membranes. Ag+ release and replacement by electrolyte ions with potential formation of insoluble AgCl result in NP instability and interactions of heavy metals with nucleic acids and proteins. Protein shells protect AgNP core from oxidation, dissolution, and aggregation, and provide specific interactions with ligands. These nanoconjugates can be used for immunoassays and diagnostics, but the sensitivity is limited at 10 pg and specificity is restricted by binding with protective proteins (immunoglobulins, fibrinogen, albumin, and others). Thus, broad implementation of Ag nanostructures revealed limitations such as instability; binding with major blood proteins; damage of proteins, nucleic acids, and membranes; and immunosuppression of the majority of cytokines.
Highlights
Nanosilver is a generic term that refers to nanoscale Ag materials that have at least one dimension less than 100 nm, and which are commonly in the form of particles called silver nanoparticles (AgNP)
Preliminary binding of AgNP with some proteins permits the construction of soft corona, which dynamically exchange with major protective proteins such
Metal ions are slowly released from metal oxide and are absorbed through the cell membranes or viral envelopes, followed by direct interaction with the functional groups of proteins and nucleic acids, such as mercapto
Summary
Nanosilver is a generic term that refers to nanoscale Ag materials that have at least one dimension less than 100 nm, and which are commonly in the form of particles called silver nanoparticles (AgNP). By using various plant extracts, bacteria, biodegradable polymers, enzymes, and even microwaves [10]—is gradually replacing harmful chemical synthesis and energy-consuming physical approaches of the nanosilver fabrication [7,10,11,12]. Stability of Ag Ions, Citrate-Coated AgNP, and Their Nanoconjugates with Proteins Both microfluid diagnostics and treatment of diseases require maintenance of the nanosilver concentrations [6]. Oxidative dissolution of metallic AgNP in the presence of an electron acceptor is catalyzed by nucleophilic reagents that change the chemical potential or Fermi level at the particle surface. Recovery of Ag+ by using various plant extracts, bacteria, biodegradable microwaves is gradually replacing harmful chemicalreplacing synthesis and energy-consuming polymers, enzymes, and even microwaves is gradually harmful chemical syn‐. Thesis andapproaches energy‐consuming physical approaches the nanosilver fabrication [11,12,18]
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