Topical delivery of silver nanoparticles promotes wound healing.
ChemMedChem. 2007 Jan;2(1):129-36. Tian J, Wong KK, Ho CM, Lok CN, Yu WY, Che CM, Chiu JF, Tam PK.
"We investigated the wound-healing properties of silver nanoparticles in an animal model and found that rapid healing and improved cosmetic appearance occur in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, through quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, and proteomic studies, we showed that silver nanoparticles exert positive effects through their antimicrobial properties, reduction in wound inflammation, and modulation of fibrogenic cytokines. These results have given insight into the actions of silver and have provided a novel therapeutic direction for wound treatment in clinical practice."
Mol Pharm. 2009 Sep-Oct;6(5):1388-401. doi: 10.1021/mp900056g. Jain J, Arora S, Rajwade JM, Omray P, Khandelwal S, Paknikar KM.
"Silver is an effective antimicrobial agent with low toxicity, which is important especially in the treatment of burn wounds where transient bacteremia is prevalent and its fast control is essential. Drugs releasing silver in ionic forms are known to get neutralized in biological fluids and upon long-term use may cause cosmetic abnormality, e.g., argyria and delayed wound healing. Given its broad spectrum activity, efficacy and lower costs, the search for newer and superior silver based antimicrobial agents is necessary. Among the various options available, silver nanoparticles have been the focus of increasing interest and are being heralded as an excellent candidate for therapeutic purposes."
Induced dedifferentiation: a possible alternative to embryonic stem cell transplants.
NeuroRehabilitation. 2002;17(1):23-31, Becker RO.
"Induction of local tissue regeneration in the human would best be accomplished if the patient's own cells at the desired site could be caused to dedifferentiate into the required embryonic stem cells. A system involving the electrical iontophoretic introduction of free silver ions into human wounds for their antibiotic effect has been in clinical use since 1975. In addition to a major antibiotic effect, the technique was found to produce the regeneration of all local tissues, apparently by stimulating dedifferentiation of mature human cells."
Effect of silver on burn wound infection control and healing: review of the literature.
Burns. 2007 Mar;33(2):139-48. Epub 2006 Nov 29. Atiyeh BS, Costagliola M, Hayek SN, Dibo SA.
"Silver compounds have been exploited for their medicinal properties for centuries. At present, silver is reemerging as a viable treatment option for infections encountered in burns, open wounds, and chronic ulcers. The gold standard in topical burn treatment is silver sulfadiazine (Ag-SD), a useful antibacterial agent for burn wound treatment. Recent findings, however, indicate that the compound delays the wound-healing process and that silver may have serious cytotoxic activity on various host cells. The present review aims at examining all available evidence about effects, often contradictory, of silver on wound infection control and on wound healing trying to determine the practical therapeutic balance between antimicrobial activity and cellular toxicity. The ultimate goal remains the choice of a product with a superior profile of infection control over host cell cytotoxicity."
Use of Silver in the Prevention and Treatment of Infections: Silver Review
Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2013 Feb; 14(1): 8–20. Amani D. Politano,corresponding author Kristin T. Campbell, Laura H. Rosenberger, and Robert G. Sawyer
"Silver remains a reasonable addition to the armamentarium against infection and has relatively few side effects. However, one should weigh the benefits of silver-containing products against the known side effects and the other options available for the intended purpose when selecting the most appropriate therapy."
History of the medical use of silver.
Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2009 Jun;10(3):289-92. doi: 10.1089/sur.2008.9941. Alexander JW
"Silver has been used extensively throughout recorded history for a variety of medical purposes. METHODS: A review of the literature in English was undertaken, primarily using PUBMED, to identify the medical uses of silver before the clinical introduction of antibiotics in the 1940s. RESULTS: Silver has been used for at least six millennia to prevent microbial infections. It has been effective against almost all organisms tested and has been used to treat numerous infections and noninfectious conditions, sometimes with striking success. Silver also has played an important role in the development of radiology and in improving wound healing."
Credits:
Created with images by Devanath - "harmony relax rock" • HNDPTESBC - "palm hand finger" • gerneth - "yarrow milfoil bloodwort" • avantrend - "alchemy medical naturopathy" • Friar's Balsam - "Titoki Healing Centre 14" • OiMax - "healing lighting"