Antimicrobial Silver in Medicinal Applications

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Novel Antimicrobial Agents".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2022) | Viewed by 24113

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Interests: green synthesis; metal nanoparticles; antimicrobial agents; synergism; wound healing
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The last decade has witnessed an increased interest in the development and usage of silver as an antimicrobial agent in numerous fields, including the medical, consumer, agricultural and industrial sectors. There are reports describing silver ions and nanoparticles highly potent against multi-drug resistant bacteria with comparatively minimal toxicity to mammalian cells. However, bacterial resistance against silver was also documented with controversies present in literature regarding safety of the increased quantity of commercially available products incorporating silver nanoparticles. This Special Issue is dedicated to topics concerning:

  • availability of antimicrobial silver products in wide medicinal applications as alternative treatments including targeted therapies that incorporate synergistic incorporation of silver;
  • caution of proper choice of controls and monitoring of medical safety of silver products;
  • environmental contamination and recycle of silver antimicrobial agents;
  • investigations into mode of action with proposed mechanisms of antibiotic-resistance and the potential synergistic effects of silver complexed with antibiotics or other natural antimicrobials.

Manuscripts including research related to the themes mentioned above are welcome.   

 

Dr. Zyta M. Ziora

Guest Editor

 

Keywords

  • Antimicrobial agent
  • Environmental safety
  • Medical safety
  • Medicinal application
  • Multi-drug resistance
  • Silver ions
  • Silver nanoparticles

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2940 KiB  
Article
pH Alteration in Plant-Mediated Green Synthesis and Its Resultant Impact on Antimicrobial Properties of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs)
by Amalia Miranda, Tamara Akpobolokemi, Etelka Chung, Guogang Ren and Bahijja Tolulope Raimi-Abraham
Antibiotics 2022, 11(11), 1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11111592 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 2764
Abstract
Plant-mediated green synthesis is a cost-effective and eco-friendly process used to synthesize metallic nanoparticles. Experimental pH is of interest due to its ability to influence nanoparticle size and shape; however, little has been explored in comparison to the influence of this parameter on [...] Read more.
Plant-mediated green synthesis is a cost-effective and eco-friendly process used to synthesize metallic nanoparticles. Experimental pH is of interest due to its ability to influence nanoparticle size and shape; however, little has been explored in comparison to the influence of this parameter on the therapeutic potential of resultant metallic nanoparticles. Our work investigated the influence of pH alternation on antimicrobial properties of plant-mediated green synthesized (using Spinacia oleracea leaf extract) silver nanoparticles. We further investigated if the antimicrobial activity was sustained at 8 weeks (after initial green synthesis). Antimicrobial properties were evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Our work confirmed that experimental pH in plant-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles influenced their resultant antimicrobial properties. Silver nanoparticles generated at experimental pH 4.5, and nine showed activity against E. coli which was sustained at various levels over 8 weeks. No antimicrobial activity was observed against S. aureus, and weak antimicrobial activity against C. albicans. These interesting findings highlight the importance of experimental pH. Further understanding of the role experimental pH plays on resultant metallic nanoparticle properties as it relates to biological and therapeutic impact is required, which will have an impact on wider applications beyond antimicrobial activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Silver in Medicinal Applications)
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17 pages, 3964 KiB  
Article
Development of Wash-Durable Antimicrobial Cotton Fabrics by In Situ Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Investigation of Their Antimicrobial Efficacy against Drug-Resistant Bacteria
by Ashu Jain, Bhani Kongkham, Hariprasad Puttaswamy, Bhupendra Singh Butola, Hitendra Kumar Malik and Anushree Malik
Antibiotics 2022, 11(7), 864; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11070864 - 27 Jun 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2709
Abstract
An environment friendly and wash-durable silver nanoparticle treatment of cotton fabrics was carried out by in situ reduction of silver nitrate using Azadirachta indica leaf extract. The wash durability of the silver nanoparticles treatment on the cotton fabric was improved by pretreating the [...] Read more.
An environment friendly and wash-durable silver nanoparticle treatment of cotton fabrics was carried out by in situ reduction of silver nitrate using Azadirachta indica leaf extract. The wash durability of the silver nanoparticles treatment on the cotton fabric was improved by pretreating the fabrics by mercerization and by adopting hydrothermal conditions of 120 °C temperature and 15 psi pressure for the in situ synthesis. The silver nanoparticle treated fabrics were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, colorimetric analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The coating of silver nanoparticles was seen to be dense and uniform in the scanning electron micrographs of the treated fabrics. An evaluation of the antibacterial efficacy of the silver nanoparticle treated fabric against antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains was carried out. The antibacterial efficacy was found to be the highest against Bacillus licheniformis, showing 93.3% inhibition, whereas it was moderate against Klebsiella pneumoniae (20%) and Escherichia coli (10%). The transmittance data of a UV spectrophotometer (290–400nm) was used for measuring the UV protection factor of the silver nanoparticle treated fabrics. All the silver nanoparticle treated fabrics showed good antimicrobial and UV protection activity. The treatment was also seen to be durable against repeated laundering. This paper contributes the first report on a novel green synthesis approach integrating mercerization of cotton fabrics and in situ synthesis of nanoparticles under hydrothermal conditions using Azadirachta indica leaf extract for improved wash durability of the multifunctional fabric. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Silver in Medicinal Applications)
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9 pages, 1554 KiB  
Article
Use of a Silver-Impregnated Vascular Graft: Single-Center Experience
by Jiri Molacek, Vladislav Treska, Karel Houdek, Václav Opatrný, Bohuslav Certik and Jan Baxa
Antibiotics 2022, 11(3), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11030386 - 15 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2489
Abstract
Introduction: Vascular graft infection is a life threatening situation with significant morbidity and mortality. Bacterial graft infection can lead to false aneurysms, bleeding and sepsis. There are a lot of risky situations where grafts can become infected. It is therefore highly desirable to [...] Read more.
Introduction: Vascular graft infection is a life threatening situation with significant morbidity and mortality. Bacterial graft infection can lead to false aneurysms, bleeding and sepsis. There are a lot of risky situations where grafts can become infected. It is therefore highly desirable to have a vascular graft that is resistant to infection. In this retrospective clinical study, a silver-impregnated vascular graft was evaluated in various indications. Methods: Our study included a total of 71 patients who received a silver-impregnated vascular graft during the period from 2013 to 2018. Patients had an aortoiliac localization of vascular graft in 61 cases (86%), and a peripheral localization on the lower limbs in 10 cases (14%). Indications for the use of these special vascular grafts were trophic lesions or gangrene in the lower limbs in 24 cases (34%), suspicious mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm (mAAA) in 4 cases (5.5%), salmonela aortitis or aneurysms in 4 cases (5.5%), infection of the previous vascular graft in 11 cases (15.5%), other infections in 12 cases (17%), AAA rupture in 10 cases (14%) and other reasons (pre-transplant condition, multiple trauma, graft-enteric fistula) in 6 cases (8.5%). Thirty-day mortality, morbidity, the need for reintervention and amputation, primary and secondary graft patency, and finally the presence of a proven vascular graft infection were evaluated. Results: The 30-day mortality was 19.7%, and morbidity was 42.2%. The primary patency of the vascular graft was 91.5%. Reoperation was necessary in 10 cases (14%) and amputation was necessary in 10 cases (14%). The median length of hospital stay was 13 days and the mean follow-up period was 48 ± 9 months. During the follow-up period, six patients (8.5%) died from reasons unrelated to surgery or without any relation to the vascular graft. Secondary patency after one year was 88%. Infection of the silver graft was observed in three patients (4.2%). Conclusions: Based on our results, the silver graft is a very suitable alternative for solving infectious, or potentially infectious, situations in vascular surgery. In particular, in urgent or acute cases, a silver graft is often the only option. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Silver in Medicinal Applications)
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17 pages, 4561 KiB  
Article
Silver Nanoparticles Enhance Antimicrobial Efficacy of Antibiotics and Restore That Efficacy against the Melioidosis Pathogen
by Sathit Malawong, Saengrawee Thammawithan, Pawinee Sirithongsuk, Sakda Daduang, Sompong Klaynongsruang, Pamela T. Wong and Rina Patramanon
Antibiotics 2021, 10(7), 839; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10070839 - 10 Jul 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4375
Abstract
Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Gram-negative bacillus bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei. Due to the emerging resistance of B. pseudomallei to antibiotics including ceftazidime (CAZ), the development of novel antibiotics and alternative modes of treatment has become an urgent issue. Here, we [...] Read more.
Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Gram-negative bacillus bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei. Due to the emerging resistance of B. pseudomallei to antibiotics including ceftazidime (CAZ), the development of novel antibiotics and alternative modes of treatment has become an urgent issue. Here, we demonstrated an ability to synergistically increase the efficiency of antibiotics through their combination with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Combinations of four conventional antibiotics including CAZ, imipenem (IMI), meropenem (MER), and gentamicin sulfate (GENT) with starch-stabilized AgNPs were tested for their antibacterial effects against three isolates of B. pseudomallei. The combination of each antibiotic with AgNPs featured fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index values and fractional bactericidal concentration (FBC) index values ranging from 0.312 to 0.75 µg/mL and 0.252 to 0.625 µg/mL, respectively, against the three isolates of B. pseudomallei. The study clearly showed that most of the combinatorial treatments exhibited synergistic antimicrobial effects against all three isolates of B. pseudomallei. The highest enhancing effect was observed for GENT with AgNPs. These results confirmed the combination of each antibiotic with AgNPs restored their bactericidal potency in the bacterial strains that had previously been shown to be resistant to the antibiotics. In addition, morphological changes examined by SEM confirmed that the bacterial cells were severely damaged by combinations at the FBC level. Although bacteria produce fibers to protect themselves, ultimately the bacteria were killed by the antibiotic–AgNPs combinations. Overall, these results suggest the study of antibiotic–AgNPs combinations as an alternative design strategy for potential therapeutics to more effectively combat the melioidosis pathogen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Silver in Medicinal Applications)
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Review

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48 pages, 2501 KiB  
Review
Silver Nanoparticle-Based Therapy: Can It Be Useful to Combat Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria?
by Eva M. Mateo and Misericordia Jiménez
Antibiotics 2022, 11(9), 1205; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11091205 - 6 Sep 2022
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 3826
Abstract
The present review focuses on the potential use of silver nanoparticles in the therapy of diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Such bacteria are known as “superbugs”, and the most concerning species are Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin and vancomycin-resistant), [...] Read more.
The present review focuses on the potential use of silver nanoparticles in the therapy of diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Such bacteria are known as “superbugs”, and the most concerning species are Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin and vancomycin-resistant), and some Enterobacteriaceae. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is an urgent need for new treatments against these “superbugs”. One of the possible approaches in the treatment of these species is the use of antibacterial nanoparticles. After a short overview of nanoparticle usage, mechanisms of action, and methods of synthesis of nanoparticles, emphasis has been placed on the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to combat the most relevant emerging resistant bacteria. The toxicological aspects of the AgNPs, both in vitro using cell cultures and in vivo have been reviewed. It was found that toxic activity of AgNPs is dependent on dose, size, shape, and electrical charge. The mechanism of action of AgNPs involves interactions at various levels such as plasma membrane, DNA replication, inactivation of protein/enzymes necessary, and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to cell death. Researchers do not always agree in their conclusions on the topic and more work is needed in this field before AgNPs can be effectively applied in clinical therapy to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Silver in Medicinal Applications)
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28 pages, 3872 KiB  
Review
Antimicrobial Activity Enhancers: Towards Smart Delivery of Antimicrobial Agents
by Mariusz Skwarczynski, Sahra Bashiri, Ye Yuan, Zyta M. Ziora, Osama Nabil, Keita Masuda, Mattaka Khongkow, Natchanon Rimsueb, Horacio Cabral, Uracha Ruktanonchai, Mark A. T. Blaskovich and Istvan Toth
Antibiotics 2022, 11(3), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11030412 - 18 Mar 2022
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 6683
Abstract
The development of effective treatments against infectious diseases is an extensive and ongoing process due to the rapid adaptation of bacteria to antibiotic-based therapies. However, appropriately designed activity enhancers, including antibiotic delivery systems, can increase the effectiveness of current antibiotics, overcoming antimicrobial resistance [...] Read more.
The development of effective treatments against infectious diseases is an extensive and ongoing process due to the rapid adaptation of bacteria to antibiotic-based therapies. However, appropriately designed activity enhancers, including antibiotic delivery systems, can increase the effectiveness of current antibiotics, overcoming antimicrobial resistance and decreasing the chance of contributing to further bacterial resistance. The activity/delivery enhancers improve drug absorption, allow targeted antibiotic delivery, improve their tissue and biofilm penetration and reduce side effects. This review provides insights into various antibiotic activity enhancers, including polymer, lipid, and silver-based systems, designed to reduce the adverse effects of antibiotics and improve formulation stability and efficacy against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Silver in Medicinal Applications)
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