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  • Title: Topical nanocrystalline silver cream suppresses inflammatory cytokines and induces apoptosis of inflammatory cells in a murine model of allergic contact dermatitis.
    Author: Bhol KC, Schechter PJ.
    Journal: Br J Dermatol; 2005 Jun; 152(6):1235-42. PubMed ID: 15948987.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Nanocrystalline silver has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the exact mechanisms underlying these activities are not known. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of nanocrystalline silver using a murine model of allergic contact dermatitis, compare the effects with those of tacrolimus and a high potency steroid, and to relate the effects to modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis of inflammatory cells. METHODS: Dermatitis was induced on the ears of BALB/c mice using dinitrofluorobenzene. Topical treatment, including vehicles, 1% nanocrystalline silver cream, tacrolimus ointment and a high potency steroid, was applied once a day for 4 days. Ear swelling was measured and the erythema was evaluated daily. After 4 days of treatment the mice were killed and samples from the ears were collected for histological and immunohistochemical examination, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) staining and extraction of total RNA for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Significant reductions of ear swelling, erythema and histopathological inflammation in mice ears were observed after 4 days of treatment with 1% nanocrystalline silver cream, tacrolimus ointment or a high potency steroid with no significant difference among them. Both RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining of sections from ear biopsies demonstrated that nanocrystalline silver, tacrolimus and steroid significantly suppressed the expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-12. TUNEL staining demonstrated a significant increase in the numbers of apoptotic cells in material from the group treated with nanocrystalline silver when compared with that from groups treated with vehicle, tacrolimus or steroid. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that nanocrystalline silver inhibits allergic contact dermatitis in mice, similar to steroid and tacrolimus. Nanocrystalline silver suppresses the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-12 and induces apoptosis of inflammatory cells; mechanisms by which nanocrystalline silver may exert its anti-inflammatory effects.
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