An overview of antimicrobial and anticancer potential of silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanotechnology has immense potential for the development of novel and necessary products that benefit human health, the environment, and industries. Silver nanoparticles and their nanocomposites have gained tremendous importance in the field of nanotechnology owing to their widespread usage in various realms of science and technology, including electronics, biomedical, environmental protection, textile industry, cosmetics, therapeutics, photonics, agriculture, and so on. Additionally, the market demand for nano silver-based products and high therapeutic usage of silver nanostructures has diverted the focus of researchers towards the exploration and novel use of silver-based nanoparticles for advanced nano based pharmaceuticals, high-tech devices, biosensors and other industrial products. As the characteristic properties of silver nanostructures, like excellent SERS/SPR, surface properties, diversity in shape, surface charge, dissolution rate, controlled silver ion release for mediating the antimicrobial toxicity and cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, and efficient biocompatibility, which render them to be potential antimicrobial, anticancer and diagnostic agents. Here in this review, due attention has been given to highlight the antimicrobial and anticancer properties of silver nanoparticles along with their mechanistic pathways. Finally, some of the miscellaneous applications of silver nanoparticles are briefly mentioned which emphasize the understanding of silver nanoparticles' ubiquitous role in consumer and health care products, biomedical devices, implants, environmental remediation, and so on. © 2021 The Author(s)