Synthesis, characterization and biomedical applications of silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively useful in biomedical applications. This study aims to synthesize silver nanoparticles by lasers ablation and to use them as an anti-bacterial and anti-cancer agent. Materials and Methods: According to the current study, Ag-nanoparticles can be synthesized easily using pulsed laser ablation on a 99.81% pure silver target immersed in deionized water. The prepared nanoparticles were charactered by UV-vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique. Using a well-diffusion process, the anti-bacterial action of the synthesized Ag nanoparticles was tested versus two Gram-positive bacteria species (S. aureus and S. pyogenes) and two species of Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and P. aeruginosa). The anticancer activity of the silver nanoparticles was evaluated by the MTT assay. Results: The generated AgNps had a maximum absorbance peak of 400 nm. The XRD analysis verified that the synthesized silver nanoparticles had been nanocrystalline. The AgNPs did not affect any of the blood parameters. Gram-negative bacteria are more affected by silver than Gram-positive bacteria. The Ag nanoparticles had been shown a maximum anti-bacterial action at a concentration of 80 µg/ml and had a lower effect with 20 µg/ml concentration while their efficacy at 40 and 60 µg/ml concentrations appeared to be variable against all bacterial species. The findings show that AgNPs have a cytotoxic influence on cancer cells in 80 μg/ml concentration. Conclusion: In comparison to Gram-positive bacteria, silver nanoparticles show high antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. The prepared nanoparticles have a potent effect on cancer cells and restricted harmful effects on RBCs.