Nanocrystalline Silver: Novel Structure and Activity

Abstract

Silver, as Ag⁺, is a well known antimicrobial agent. Depending upon the delivery vehicle the single silver ion may be proinflammatory which could delay wound healing. Further, the Ag+ ion is chemically very active forming complexes with Cl⁻ and proteins which reduces its antimicrobial efficacy. The advent of nanostructured silver has solved the antimicrobial issues by controlling the release of silver and generating new silver species. These new species have introduced a host of unexpected benefits around wound healing. Of particular importance is the anti-inflammatory activity which dramatically improves healing.