**3.2 Cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles**

The unique physico-chemical and biological properties of AgNPs have extremely promising industrial and medical applications, as previously mentioned. However, there exists a dearth of knowledge regarding the effects of prolonged exposures to nanoparticles on human health and the environment [112]. It is therefore imperative to establish the *in vitro* and *in vivo* cytotoxic effect of AgNPs in mind for therapeutic purposes.
