A Biological Study of Anisotropic Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antimicrobial Application for Topical Use

• Main Authors: Saengrawee Thammawithan, Pawinee Siritongsuk, Sawinee Nasompag, Sakda Daduang, Sompong Klaynongsruang, Nuvee Prapasarakul, Rina Patramanon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Veterinary Sciences
• Subjects: silver nanoparticles; anisotropic silver nanoparticles; antimicrobial resistance; alternatives to antimicrobials; <i>Staphylococcus pseudintermedius</i>
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/8/9/177

The excessive use of antibiotics in both human and veterinary medicine has contributed to the development and rapid spread of drug resistance in bacteria. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have become a tool of choice that can be used to treat these resistant bacteria. Several studies have shown that AgNPs have antibacterial and wound healing properties. In this study, we evaluated the biological activity of anisotropic AgNPs to develop an antimicrobial gel formulation for treating wound infections. We showed that some anisotropic AgNPs (S2) have an effective antibacterial activity against bacterial pathogens and low cytotoxicity to keratinocytes and fibroblasts <i>in vitro</i>. The MIC and MBC values were in the range of 2–32 µg/mL, and cytotoxicity had IC₅₀ values of 68.20 ± 9.71 µg/mL and 68.65 ± 10.97 µg/mL against human keratinocyte and normal human dermal fibroblast cells, respectively. The anisotropic AgNPs (S2) were used as a gel component and tested for antibacterial activity, including long-term protection, compared with povidone iodine, a common antiseptic agent. The results show that the anisotropic AgNPs can inhibit the growth of most tested bacterial pathogens and provide protection longer than 48 h, whereas povidone iodine only inhibits the growth of some bacteria. This study suggests that anisotropic AgNPs could be used as an alternative antimicrobial agent for treating bacterial skin infection and as a wound healing formulation.