Potent antiviral effect of silver nanoparticles on SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic of COVID-19 is spreading unchecked due to the lack of effective antiviral measures. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) have been studied to possess antiviral properties and are presumed to inhibit SARS-CoV-2. Due to the need for an effective agent against SARS-CoV-2, we evaluated the antiviral effect of AgNPs. We evaluated a plethora of AgNPs of different sizes and concentration and observed that particles of diameter around 10 nm were effective in inhibiting extracellular SARS-CoV-2 at concentrations ranging between 1 and 10 ppm while cytotoxic effect was observed at concentrations of 20 ppm and above. Luciferase-based pseudovirus entry assay revealed that AgNPs potently inhibited viral entry step via disrupting viral integrity. These results indicate that AgNPs are highly potent microbicides against SARS-CoV-2 but should be used with caution due to their cytotoxic effects and their potential to derange environmental ecosystems when improperly disposed. •Silver nanoparticles inhibit extracellular SARS-CoV-2.•2–15 nm size particles showed robust inhibition of SARS-CoV-2.•SARS-CoV-2 was potently inhibited at concentrations above 1 ppm.•Naked Silver nanoparticles exhibited cytotoxicity from 20 ppm onwards.