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Fig. 1.
Well-dispersion of nanoAg in UPW and cell-free culture medium. NanoAg stock solution (10%) was sonicated and diluted to 120 μg Ag/ml with UPW. The samples were deposited on carbon-coated nickel grids, air dried overnight before TEM analysis. Images of nanoAg in UPW (A,C) and cell-free culture medium (B) were indicated. Arrow in (B) indicates some polymeric masses existed in cell-free culture medium. (D) EDS spectra of nanoAg particle in UPW (upper) and background area of carbon-coated support film (lower). Si Sulfo-NHS-Biotin a contaminant from carbon evapolator at the time of grid preparation.
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Using this nanoAg dispersion, we assessed the effect of nanoAg on cell viability. HeLa cells were incubated with nanoAg or AgNO3 for 24 h and viable cells were measured by fluorometric method (see Materials and methods). NanoAg showed cytotoxicity at concentrations of 80 μg Ag/ml or higher (Fig. 2). AgNO3 showed stronger cytotoxicity compared to that of nanoAg: cell viability reduction was observed at concentrations of 12 μg Ag/ml. The IC50 values of nanoAg and AgNO3 were about 92 and 17 μg Ag/ml, respectively (Fig. 2). These results demonstrate that nanoAg possesses cytotoxicity though it is not stronger than AgNO3.