Inhibitory effect of silver nano-particles on multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a review

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an emerging science involving the utilization of nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles are relatively safer to use because they exhibit no toxicity to the host cell as well as these particles are also able to treat inflammatory conditions and have better results than steroids. Silver nanoparticles can be used to treat the various diseases originating from Staphylococcus aureus (stomatitis, mental illness, epilepsy, nicotine addiction and gastroenteritis). Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium that is extremely harmful pathogen both for animals and human being. S. aureus is highly lethal that infects multiple systems of the body including blood, lungs and skin. S. aureus has a very high tendency to develop antibiotic resistance. This resistance is plasmid mediated. Therefore, to counteract this property, the role of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were evaluated. After performing multiple experiments, it was observed that AgNPs were highly effective against multidrug resistant S. aureus. These evaluations were conducted by observing inhibition zone using different shape, size and concentrations of AgNPs. Best results were obtained by using spherical shape, 2-5 nm AgNPs. An inhibition zone of 53.9% was achieved as compared to hexagonal and pentagonal having larger size 50-100 nm that exhibited 42.8 % inhibition zone. It means that small sized AgNPs have more potential to produce antibacterial activity against S. aureus as compared to available antibiotic groups. AgNPs are getting more attention in scientific community due to their broad-spectrum range in medical applications and for their uses in food products. On the basis of previous findings, it’s worth mentioning that AgNPs exhibit strong antibacterial activity and can be utilized as an alternative of antibiotics.