Environmental and Human Health Issues of Silver Nanoparticles Applications (original) (raw)
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Investigations of the Toxic Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Mammalian Cell Lines
Journal of Nanomaterials, 2015
Silver nanoparticles are widely used for many applications. In this study silver nanoparticles have been tested for their toxic effect on fibroblasts (NIH-3T3), on a human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (A-549), on PC-12-cells, a rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line, and on HEP-G2-cells, a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. The viability of the cells cultivated with different concentrations of silver was determined by the MTT assay, a photometric method to determine cell metabolism. Dose-response curves were extrapolated and IC 50 , total lethal concentration (TLC), and no observable adverse effect concentration (NOAEC) values were calculated for each cell line. As another approach, ECIS (electric-cell-substrate-impedance-sensing) an automated method to monitor cellular behavior in real-time was applied to observe cells cultivated with silver nanoparticles. To identify the type of cell death the membrane integrity was analyzed by measurements of the lactate dehydrogenase releases and by determination of the caspase 3/7 activity. To ensure that the cytotoxic effect of silver nanoparticles is not traced back to the presence of Ag + ions in the suspension, an Ag + salt (AgNO 3 ) has been examined at the same concentration of Ag + present in the silver nanoparticle suspension that is assuming that the Ag particles are completely available as Ag + ions.
Nanomedicine, 2011
Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are becoming increasingly prevalent in consumer products as antibacterial agents. The increased use of Ag NP-enhanced products may lead to an increase in toxic levels of environmental silver, but regulatory control over the use or disposal of such products is lagging due to insufficient assessment on the toxicology of Ag NPs and their rate of release into the environment. In this article we discuss recent research on the transport, activity and fate of Ag NPs at the cellular and organismic level, in conjunction with traditional and recently established methods of nanoparticle characterization. We include several proposed mechanisms of cytotoxicity based on such studies, as well as new opportunities for investigating the uptake and fate of Ag NPs in living systems.
With the development of nanotechnology, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have become one of the most in-demand nanoparticles owing to their exponential number of uses in various sectors. The increased use of Ag-NPs-enhanced products may result in an increased level of toxicity affecting both the environment and living organisms. Several studies have used different model cell lines to exhibit the cytotoxicity of Ag-NPs, and their underlying molecular mechanisms. This review aimed to elucidate different properties of Ag-NPs that are responsible for the induction of cellular toxicity along with the critical mechanism of action and subsequent defense mechanisms observed in vitro. Our results show that the properties of Ag-NPs largely vary based on the diversified synthesis processes. The physiochemical properties of Ag-NPs (e.g., size, shape, concentration, agglomeration, or aggregation interaction with a biological system) can cause impairment of mitochondrial function prior to their penetration and accumulation in the mito-chondrial membrane. Thus, Ag-NPs exhibit properties that play a central role in their use as biocides
Silver or silver nanoparticles: a hazardous threat to the environment and human health?
Journal of Applied Biomedicine
Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing science of producing and utilizing nano-sized particles that measure in nanometers. These nanomaterials are already having an impact on health care. Now-a-days we are using nanoproducts in various fields. Of these, silver nanoparticles are playing a major role in the field of nanotechnology and nanomedicine. Their unique size-dependent properties make these materials superior and indispensable as they show unusual physical, chemical and biological properties. Silver nanoparticles have potential antimicrobial activity towards many pathogenic microbes. Along with this antimicrobial activity, silver nanoparticles are showing unacceptable toxic effects on human health and the environment. The chronic exposure to silver causes adverse effects such as permanent bluish-grey discoloration of the skin (argyria) and eyes (argyrosis). Besides argyria and argyrosis, exposure to soluble silver compounds may produce other toxic effects like liver and kidney damage, irritation of the eyes, skin, respiratory and intestinal tract and changes to blood cells. This review summarizes the hazardous effects of silver nanoparticles in the environment and theirs toxic effects on human health.
Environmental Toxicology, 2013
Silver nanoparticles are increasingly used in various products, due to their antibacterial properties. Despite its wide spread use, only little information on possible adverse health effects exists. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the toxic potential of silver nanoparticles (<100 nm) in human lung epithelial (A549) cells and the underlying mechanism of its cellular toxicity. Silver nanoparticles induced dose and time-dependent cytotoxicity in A549 cells demonstrated by MTT and LDH assays. Silver nanoparticles were also found to induce oxidative stress in dose and time-dependent manner indicated by depletion of GSH and induction of ROS, LPO, SOD, and catalase. Further, the activities of caspases and the level of proinflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin-1b (IL-1b) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly higher in treated cells. DNA damage, as measured by single cell gel electrophoresis, was also dose and time-dependent signicants in A549 cells. This study investigating the effects of silver nanoparticles in human lung epithelial cells has provided valuable insights into the mechanism of potential toxicity induced by silver nanoparticles and warrants more careful assessment of silver nanoparticles before their industrial applications. V C 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 00: 000-000, 2013.
Biomaterials, 2011
Silver nanoparticles are of interest to be used as antimicrobial agents in wound dressings and coatings in medical devices, but potential adverse effects have been reported in the literature. The most pronounced effect of silver nanoparticles and the role of particle size in determining these effects, also in comparison to silver ions, are largely unknown. Effects of silver nanoparticles of different sizes (20, 80, 113 nm) were compared in in vitro assays for cytotoxicity, inflammation, genotoxicity and developmental toxicity. Silver nanoparticles induced effects in all endpoints studied, but effects on cellular metabolic activity and membrane damage were most pronounced. In all toxicity endpoints studied, silver nanoparticles of 20 nm were more toxic than the larger nanoparticles. In L929 fibroblasts, but not in RAW 264.7 macrophages, 20 nm silver nanoparticles were more cytotoxic than silver ions. Collectively, these results indicate that effects of silver nanoparticles on different toxic endpoints may be the consequence of their ability to inflict cell damage. In addition, the potency of silver in the form of nanoparticles to induce cell damage compared to silver ions is cell type and size-dependent.
Toxicity and Molecular Mechanisms of Actions of Silver Nanoparticles
Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology, 2023
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained popularity due to their antibacterial properties, and are therefore widely used in several applications such as wound dressings, food packaging, and water purification. However, the toxicity of AgNPs to humans and the environment is a growing concern. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the toxicity and molecular mechanisms of action of AgNPs. The toxicity of AgNPs can be attributed to their small size, which allows them to enter cells and interact with cellular components. Reports suggest that AgNPs can induce cell death, DNA damage, and oxidative stress in various cell types. The toxic effects of AgNPs differ based on their size, shape, surface charge, and coating. The molecular mechanisms behind the toxicity of AgNPs involve the production of reactive oxygen species, disruption of cellular membranes, and activation of proinflammatory cytokines. Overall, the toxicity of AgNPs is dependent on various factors, and more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind their toxicity. This review highlights the need for proper risk assessments and regulations to minimize the adverse effects of AgNPs on human health and the environment.
Silver nanoparticle induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and DNA damage in CHO cells
Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 2013
Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are being used increasingly in wound dressings, catheters, and in various household products due to their antimicrobial activity. The present study reports the toxicity evaluation of synthesized and well characterized Ag NPs using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The UV-Vis spectroscopy reveals the formation of silver nanoparticles by exhibiting the typical surface plasmon absorption maxima at 408-410 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that the average diameter of silver nanoparticles is about 5.0 ± 1.0 nm and that they have spherical shape. Cell visibility and cell viability percentage show dosedependent cellular toxicity of Ag NPs. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) for CHO cells is 68.0 ± 2.65 lg/ml after 24 h Ag NPs exposure. Toxicity evaluations, including cellular morphology, mitochondrial function (MTT assay), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and DNA fragmentation assay (Ladder pattern) were assessed in unexposed CHO cells (control) and the cells exposed to Ag NPs concentrations of 15, 30, and 60 lg/ml for 24 h. The findings may assist in the designing of Ag NPs for various applications and provide insights into their toxicity.