Silver nanoparticles; a new hope in cancer therapy?

Abstract

Nowadays, with the rapid developments in nanotechnology, there has been a significant increase in the usage of nanoparticles within the biomedical field. Nanoparticles are known as particles ranging in size between 1 and 100 nm. Especially, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively carried out biomedical areas because of their physicochemical, and biological therapeutic properties. Recent studies have shown that there are anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic biological activities, especially anti-bacterial and anti-cancer features of silver nanoparticles. Also, the appropriate knowledge of these characteristics is crucial since this knowledge enhances their potential usage in many areas while decreasing their possible dangers for human and environment. Recent researches demonstrate that multifunctional cytotoxic biological activities of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles can be used as an anti-cancer agent. In this work, it is aimed to give a literature review of the studies on silver nanoparticles, synthesis techniques and their possible usages especially in cancer therapy.