Tailoring innovative silver nanoparticles for modern medicine: The importance of size and shape control and functional modifications

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) play a significant role in modern medicine, with their size, shape, and surface chemistry strongly influencing their biological performance. Smaller nanoparticles (1-100 nm) can penetrate cells more easily, while different shapes such as spheres, rods, cubes, triangles, wires, and stars impact their antimicrobial activity and drug delivery efficiency. This review highlights the importance of precise control over these properties during synthesis to optimize their therapeutic potential. Green synthesis methods, including plant-based and microbial approaches, are presented as safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional chemical processes. The review also discusses surface functionalization strategies such as biodegradable coatings, targeting ligands, and hybrid structures that enhance nanoparticle stability, reduce toxicity, and enable selective delivery to sites like tumors or infected tissues. As highlighted in the review, Ag NPs hold great promise in antimicrobial therapy, targeted drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering, stem cell support, and cancer treatment. Emerging research also indicates potential benefits in modulating inflammation and oxidative stress in neurological and cardiovascular disorders. Despite these advances, key challenges remain, including low synthesis yields, poor reproducibility, scale-up difficulties, potential toxicity, uncertain biological mechanisms, and a lack of regulatory clarity. The review indicates the urgent need for improved synthesis control and rigorous safety evaluations to support the clinical translation of Ag NP-based technologies.