నైరూప్య

Role of Silver-Nano Particles in Drug Discovery Research

Richa Khare, Smriti Khare and Devdutt Chaturvedi

is the only precious metal has been used to fight infection for thousands of years. Hippocrates first described its antimicrobial properties in 400 BC but how it works has been a mystery. It has a long history as an antibiotic in human health care and also used for many purposes. Silver compounds are very effective antibacterial agents against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. It has been developed for use in water purification, wound care, bone prostheses, reconstructive orthopaedic surgery, cardiac devices, catheters and surgical appliances. Advancing biotechnology has enabled incorporation of ionizable silver into fabrics for clinical use to reduce the risk of infections and for personal hygiene. The antimicrobial action of silver or silver compounds is proportional to the bioactive silver ion (Ag (+)) released and its availability to interact with bacterial or fungal cell membranes. Silver metal and inorganic silver compounds ionize in the presence of water, body fluids or tissue exudates