Nanoscalic silver possesses broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities and exhibits fewer toxicological side effects than silver sulfadiazine

Author(s)
Oliver Brandt, Michael Mildner, Alexander Egger, Michael Größl, Uwe Rix, Martin Posch, Bernhard Keppler, Christian Strupp, Beat Müller, Georg Stingl
Abstract

Silver has been used successfully for decades as an antibacterial agent and has become a standard treatment for burns and bacterial skin infections. Silver-containing creams, particularly silver sulfadiazine (SSD), possess effective activities against bacteria and fungi. However, there is serious concern that silver ions applied to denuded skin might be absorbed in significant amounts, thus introducing the risk of silver deposition, potentially leading to internal organ injury. In view of these facts we compared the percutaneous absorption and the antimicrobial potency of SSD with a new composition, nanoscalic silver (NSAg). In a murine model topical application of NSAg resulted in significantly lower percutaneous absorption and internal organ deposition compared to SSD. Strikingly, antimicrobial activity of NSAg used as a 0.1% formulation was comparable not only with 0.1% SSD against different bacterial strains including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, but also against different yeast and dermatophyte species.

 

From the Clinical Editor: Nanoscale silver (NSAg) was demonstrated to have significantly lower percutaneous absorption and less accumulation in multiple organs when applied to denuded skin. Its antimicrobial activity against MRSA was not only comparable to silver sulfadiazine, but the formulation was also effective against different yeast and dermatophyte species.

Organisation(s)
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry
External organisation(s)
Medizinische Universität Wien, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW), Spirig Pharma AG
Journal
Nanomedicine - Nanotechnology Biology and Medicine
Volume
8
Pages
478-488
No. of pages
11
ISSN
1549-9634
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2011.07.005
Publication date
2012
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
106002 Biochemistry, 301305 Medical chemistry
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/f07b6e67-4368-4ef1-9fed-5cc8682b4cb5