Silver nanoparticles: safety and efficiency for human health

Abstract

Over the past few decades, nanoparticles of metals, and in particular silver, with a diameter of less than 100 nm have significantly expanded their field of application for various biomedical purposes. So, silver nanoparticles have great potential in a wide range of applications as antimicrobial agents, coatings for biomedical products, carriers for drug delivery, bioengineering, since they have discrete physical properties and wide biochemical functionality. Studies have shown that the size, morphology, stability and properties (chemical and physical) of metal nanoparticles are strongly influenced by the conditions of the experiment, the kinetics of the interaction of metal ions with reducing agents and the adsorption processes of the stabilizer with metal nanoparticles. This review aims to analyze the use of silver nanoparticles in modern medicine based on data from domestic and foreign literature over the past five years. The study confirmed the high biological activity of drugs with nanoserebrum as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial agents, antifungals, the presence of an inhibitory effect on protozoa, antioxidant and anticancer effects, and substantiated the relevance of use in bioengineering and dentistry. However, rapid advances and advances in technology have led to concerns about the potential risk associated with the use and application of silver nanoparticles to human health and the environment. Therefore, this review attempts to characterize and quantify the potential harmful effects of silver nanoparticles on the health of laboratory animals and humans, and focuses on ways to neutralize or reduce the toxic effects of silver nanoparticles on the human body.