1. Literature Review in the Use of Nanoparticle Formulations of Silver (Ag), Gold (Au), and Zinc (Zn) as Anti-Infective Agents
William Evans, Sherlie Llorens, Austin Sack and Michael A. Spies, PhD
University of Iowa College of Pharmacy
Background
Methods
Conclusion
Pathogen resistance to common antimicrobial therapies has increased in recent years
Increased resistance could lead to ineffective treatments, persistent infections, and an increase in spread of harmful infections
Metal nanoparticles have shown some efficacy in the eradication of certain bacteria
Nanoparticles, therefore, have potential to be used as a therapeutic alternative to antimicrobial agents
This area of research has historically been restricted by significant gaps in knowledge
Metal nanoparticles are a promising alternative to commonly prescribed antimicrobials​
The biodistribution and pharmacokinetics is largely dependent on the nanomaterial
Gaps in knowledge exist which must be understood before therapeutic formulations can be advanced​
This project has allowed us to use information gathered from several different studies in the past five years to compare different bioactivities of three metals: silver, gold, and zinc
Results
Silver
Mechanism of action
Applications
Bacterial Activity against:
Contact killing
E. coli, S. aureus​, S. mutans​, S. epidermis
Ion-dependent
Real world applications:
Toxicity
Wound healing, artificial joint replacements and surgery infection prophylaxis
Argyria and​ Argyrosis – (skin and eye toxicity)​
Future Applications
Objectives
Once the bioactivities of these metals are better understood, advanced therapeutic formulations will be developed
The societal and environmental implications, as well as the effects within the human body, must be considered as the formulations advance
Promising fields for the application of nanoparticles exist in diagnostics and individualized medicine
Gold
Applications
Mechanism of action
Bacterial Activity against:
E. coli, S. aureus​, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi
Prevention of ATPase activities
Inhibition of ribosome subunit binding of tRNA
Real world applications:
Toxicity
Targeted therapy for multidrug resistant bacteria, and thermal ablation therapy
Production of ROS
The purpose of this study was to review literature pertaining to the use of metal nanoparticles to treat bacterial infections
Goals of project
Understand the bioactivities of three metals: silver, gold and zinc
Complete a literature review for each of the three metals
Organize and compare results of selected articles
Zinc​
Mechanism of action​
Applications:​
Production of radical oxygen species and Zn2+ ions​
Bacterial Activity against:​
Electrostatic interactions with cell​ wall
E. coli, S. aureus, S. epidermidis,​
Toxicity​
Real world applications:​
Gastrointestinal complications​
Wound dressings, hydrogels and prosthetic coatings​ ​