Inhibitory effect of silver nanoparticles on bovine herpesvirus-1

Abstract Currently available antiviral drugs have certain limitations. Therefore, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have recently received an increasing attention with respect to their antibacterial and antiviral properties. This in-vitro study aimed to investigate the inhibition effect of Ag-NPs on viral replication (bovine herpesvirus-1; BoHV-1 as a model) and to determine the therapeutic, safe and cytotoxic concentrations. The cytotoxicity of MDBK cells induced by different Ag-NPs concentrations was investigated by using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The infected, treated and cellular MDBK controls were stained with neutral red (NR) stain to monitor the cytopathic effects (CPEs) of BoHV-1 and the protective effects of Ag-NPs that inhibit the viral infections. Ag-NPs were safe for the MDBK cell culture at a concentration of 24 μg/mL medium. The highest concentrations were cellular toxic with different degrees. Also, Ag-NPs could protect the MDBK cell culture from BoHV-1 infection at a safety concentration (24 μg/mL medium) when incubate a mixture of Ag-NPs suspension and BoHV-1 prior infect cells. In conclusion, Ag-NPs can be used in vitro safely at the recommended concentration to protect the cellular culture against viral replications. Ag-NPs at nontoxic concentrations (24 μg/mL) are capable of inhibiting BoHV-1 when they are administered prior to viral infection.