Silver Nanoparticles and SARS-CoV-2 Covid Virus
A research effort was undertaken to study the effects of silver nanoparticles on SARS-CoV-2 virus. The researchers found that AgNPs are highly potent microbicides against SARS-CoV-2.
The elemental metal, Silver (Ag) has broad spectrum antimicrobial action against various bacteria, fungi and viruses. Due to their versatility, Ag nanoparticles (AgNP) have currently found their way as a microbicide for biological surfaces in various forms such as wound dressings, medical devices, deodorant sprays and fabrics. Several studies have demonstrated the potent antiviral action of AgNPs against various human pathogenic viruses such as Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Influenza virus, Norovirus, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
In addition to these viruses, since Ag has been demonstrated to kill SARS-CoV, the researchers hypothesized the strong possibility of AgNPs to inhibit SARS-CoV-2. Till date there are no studies directly demonstrating the effect of AgNPs on SARS-CoV-2. The researchers tested colloidal silver (cAg), plain elemental Ag nanoparticles of different diameters (AgNPn) and polyvinylpyrrolidone capped 10 nm silver nanoparticles (PVP–AgNP10) against SARS-CoV-2 to find the most effective size and concentration of Ag that could inhibit SARS-CoV-2. They propose that AgNPs could be used on inanimate and non-biological surfaces to efficiently control the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while simultaneously exercising care not to abuse it.
Abstract from the Research Journal
The pandemic of COVID-19 is spreading unchecked due to the lack of effective antiviral measures. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) have been studied to possess antiviral properties and are presumed to inhibit SARS-CoV-2. Due to the need for an effective agent against SARS-CoV-2, we evaluated the antiviral effect of AgNPs. We evaluated a plethora of AgNPs of different sizes and concentration and observed that particles of diameter around 10 nm were effective in inhibiting extracellular SARS-CoV-2 at concentrations ranging between 1 and 10 ppm while cytotoxic effect was observed at concentrations of 20 ppm and above. Luciferase-based pseudovirus entry assay revealed that AgNPs potently inhibited viral entry step via disrupting viral integrity. These results indicate that AgNPs are highly potent microbicides against SARS-CoV-2 but should be used with caution due to their cytotoxic effects and their potential to derange environmental ecosystems when improperly disposed.
Extracted from a research article published in the journal of Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2020 Nov 26; 533(1): 195–200. Full article is available at this link.
