Analysis of Silver Nanoparticles for the Treatment and Prevention of Nucleopolyhedrovirus Affecting <i>Bombyx mori</i>

<i>Bombyx mori</i> nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) causes major economic losses in sericulture. A number of agents have been employed to treat viral diseases. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have wide applications in biomedical fields due to their unique properties. The anti-BmNPV effect of Ag...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Boyuan Deng, Zhanqi Dong, Qin Wu, Bingyu Guo, Wenxuan Fang, Congwu Hu, Jiangqiong Long, Peng Chen, Cheng Lu, Minhui Pan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-06-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/11/6325
Description
Summary:<i>Bombyx mori</i> nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) causes major economic losses in sericulture. A number of agents have been employed to treat viral diseases. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have wide applications in biomedical fields due to their unique properties. The anti-BmNPV effect of AgNPs has been evaluated, however, there are insufficient studies concerning its toxicity to other organisms and the environment. We chemically synthesized biocompatible BSA-AgNPs with a diameter range of 2–4 nm and characterized their physical properties. The toxicity of AgNPs towards cells and larvae with different concentrations was examined; the results indicated a biofriendly effect on cells and larvae within specific concentration ranges. The SEM observation of the surface of BmNPV after treatment with AgNPs suggested that AgNPs could destroy the polyhedral structure, and the same result was obtained by Coomassie blue staining. Further assays confirmed the weakened virulence of AgNPs-treated BmNPV toward cells and larvae. AgNPs also could effectively inhibit the replication of BmNPV in infected cells and larvae. In summary, our research provides valuable data for the further development of AgNPs as an antiviral drug for sericulture.
ISSN:1661-6596
1422-0067