Antiviral Properties of Silver Nanoparticles against SARS-CoV-2: Effects of Surface Coating and Particle Size
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Published on: November 14, 2018
Qinghao He1, Jing Lu2, Nian Liu3
1State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly and led to over 5 million deaths to date globally. Due to the successively emerging mutant strains, therapeutics and prevention against the causative virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are urgently needed. Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in public and hospital areas is essential to reduce the frequency of infections. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with virucidal effects have been reported. Therefore, we investigated the virucidal activity and safety of ten types of AgNPs with different surface modifications and particle sizes, in cells exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. The AgNPs could effectively inhibit the activity of SARS-CoV-2, and different surface modifications and particle sizes conferred different virucidal effects, of which 50-nm BPEI showed the strongest antiviral effect. We concluded that the efficacy of each type of AgNP type was positively correlated with the corresponding potential difference (R2 = 0.82). These in vitro experimental data provide scientific support for the development of therapeutics against COVID-19, as well as a research basis for the development of broad-spectrum virucides. Given the increasing acquired resistance of pathogens against conventional chemical and antibody-based drugs, AgNPs may well be a possible solution for cutting off the route of transmission, either as an external material or a potential medicine.
Insights
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) show strong potential in combating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Different AgNP types demonstrated varying virucidal effects, with 50-nm BPEI being the most effective against the virus in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Virology
- Materials Science
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, necessitates novel therapeutic and preventative strategies due to emerging mutant strains.
- Effective prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in both public and healthcare settings is crucial to mitigate infection rates.
- Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have demonstrated promising virucidal properties, suggesting their potential application against viral pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro virucidal activity and safety of ten distinct types of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against SARS-CoV-2.
- To determine how variations in AgNP surface modifications and particle sizes influence their efficacy in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2.
- To establish a correlation between AgNP properties and their antiviral potential.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assessment of virucidal activity using ten different types of AgNPs with varying surface modifications and particle sizes.
- Exposure of cells to SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of different AgNPs to evaluate inhibition.
- Analysis of the relationship between AgNP characteristics (e.g., potential difference) and observed virucidal effects.
Main Results:
- All tested AgNPs exhibited inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.
- Significant differences in virucidal efficacy were observed among AgNPs based on their surface modifications and particle sizes.
- The 50-nm BPEI AgNPs demonstrated the strongest antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2.
- A positive correlation was found between the efficacy of AgNPs and their potential difference (R² = 0.82).
Conclusions:
- AgNPs possess significant potential as broad-spectrum antiviral agents, offering a promising avenue for developing new therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2.
- The specific surface modifications and particle sizes of AgNPs critically influence their virucidal effectiveness.
- AgNPs could serve as a viable strategy to interrupt viral transmission routes, functioning as external materials or potential medicinal agents, especially in light of increasing drug resistance.
