Inhibitory effects of silver nanoparticles on H1N1 influenza A virus in vitro

► In the presence of silver-nps, the ability of H1N1 influenza A virus to agglutinate erythrocytes was either reduced or completely inhibited. ► The anti-H1N1 influenza A virus activity of silver-nps was observed by MTT assay and the antiviral activity was shown to continue with prolonged incubation. ► Compared with the virus control, no significant CPE expressed by silver-nps had a strong inhibitory effect on H1N1 influenza A virus. ► Silver-nps can reduce H1N1 influenza A virus-induced apoptosis in MDCK cells according to TEM analysis and FCM assays.