Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using β-glucan, and their incorporation into doxorubicin-loaded water-in-oil nanoemulsions for antitumor and antibacterial applications

Silver nanoparticle nanoemulsion for DOX delivery. [Display omitted] The use of nanoparticles has seen a dramatic increase in the last few decades. However, nanotoxicity, i.e. toxicity caused by nanoparticles, is one of its major limitations, and needs to be reduced for human safety. Furthermore, the use of green methods should be encouraged for their synthesis. In this study, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with an average size of 15nm using the natural biopolymer β-glucan, which ensured the environmental benignity of their preparation. The AgNPs prepared in this manner were shown to be effective against microbes. In addition, we developed an efficient nanoemulsion delivery method for the AgNPs. Since nanoemulsions are identified as a promising drug delivery agent, we prepared nanoemulsions containing the AgNPs and successfully loaded them with a hydrophilic drug at an effective loading of 15–30%.