Garlic-powered silver nanoparticles: A safer solution for biomedical applications

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in medicine for their antimicrobial and drug delivery properties, but their toxicity has raised concerns. In a recent research published in Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, researchers from Pakistan have developed a new, safer version by capping silver nanoparticles with allicin—the active compound in garlic. These allicin-capped silver nanoparticles (Al-AgNPs) show strong antioxidant properties and significantly lower toxicity compared to traditional AgNPs, offering promising potential for biomedical applications.

The researchers extracted allicin from garlic using an eco-friendly method and combined it with silver nitrate to produce the nanoparticles. This method not only reduces the environmental impact but also preserves the beneficial properties of allicin.

"Allicin can enhance the functionality of silver nanoparticles, making them safer for medical use." said Sarwar Allah Ditta, leading author of the study.

The Al-AgNPs demonstrated impressive antioxidant activity, essential for fighting oxidative stress, which is linked to diseases like cancer and heart conditions. When tested in mice, Al-AgNPs significantly boosted antioxidant enzyme levels in the liver, while chemically synthesized AgNPs (C-AgNPs) caused more significant damage.

"Even at higher doses, the Al-AgNPs showed far less tissue damage than conventional silver nanoparticles, indicating their safer profile." add Sarwar.

The study's findings open the door to using Al-AgNPs in a variety of medical applications, from targeted drug delivery to treatments for oxidative stress-related diseases. With their low toxicity and strong antioxidant effects, these nanoparticles could be used to improve therapies for conditions like cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Moving forward, the team plans to study how Al-AgNPs are absorbed, distributed, and cleared in the body, as well as test their effectiveness in larger animal models.