Fluconazole (FLZ) application as a highly successful commercial antifungal azole agent to treat the fungal infections is limited due to emergence of FLZ-resistant candida. In this study, the potential of green synthesised silver nanoparticles (NPs) as an antifungal agent against Candida albicans fungal pathogen is investigated. The extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) plays as reducing agent, capping agent and antifungal agent. The UV-visible spectroscopy shows the peak of surface plasmon resonance of synthesised Ag NPs after a period of time. The synthesised Ag NPs are spherical, with average sizes of 12 and 18 nm based on ginger and thyme extract, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the adsorption of the plant extract on the surface of the as-prepared Ag NPs. Based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method against Candida albicans, the antifungal activity of as-prepared green synthesised Ag NPs shows higher inhibitory in comparison to FLZ. Finally, the Ag NPs synthesised via thyme extract shows no cytotoxicity with concentration below 3.5 ppm, which can be considered as an appropriate candidate instead of FLZ to treat the superficial fungal infections.
Introduction
Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem that causes by parasite of the genus Leishmania. The pentavalent antimonial compounds that used for treatment are not safe or effective enough. The aim of the present study was preparation and evaluation of the efficacy of green synthesized silver nanoparticles against Leishmania major (L. major) in vitro.
Methods
To synthesis silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), ginger extract was added to the 0.2mM AgNO3 aqueous solution (1:20). Effects of different concentrations of Ag-NPs on the number of L. major promastigotes were investigated using counting assay. The MTT test was applied to determine the toxicity of Ag-NPs on promastigotes of L. major, as well as, macrophage cells. Then, to evaluate the anti-amastigotes effects of Ag-NPs, parasites within the macrophages were counted by light microscope. Furthermore, to determine the induced apoptosis and necrotic effects of Ag-NPs on promastigotes, flow cytometry method was employed using annexin staining.
Results
The effect of Ag-NPs on promastigotes and amastigotes of L. major was effective and has a reverse relationship with its concentration. According to the results of anti-amastigote assay, the IC50 value of this nanoparticle was estimated 2.35 ppm after 72h. Also, Ag-NPs caused Programmed Cell Death (PCD) in promastigotes of L. major and showed 60.18% of apoptosis.
Discussion
Based on the mentioned results, it can be concluded that Ag NPs has a beneficial effect on promastigote and amastigote forms of L. major in vitro. Hence, these nanoparticles could be applied as promising antileishmanial agents for treatment of Leishmania infections.
In this study, Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles were employed as computed tomography (CT) contrast agents. In this regard, X-ray attenuation of Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles, prepared via DC arc discharge in water, was investigated. In addition, the optical, structural, morphology and cytotoxicity properties of afforded nanoparticles were also studied. The electric arc discharge was done via bismuth electrodes in a water medium. Then, to stabilise Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles, chitosan molecule was cross linked via glutaraldehyde around Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated the monoclinic structure and field emission-scanning electron microscopy images clarified the average size of Bi 2 O 3 as 40 nm. Fourier transform infrared analysis proved chitosan band formation around Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed no considerable toxicity after 72 h. Finally, X-ray CT of chitosan-coated Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles and Iohexol was carried out at concentrations of 1-6 mg/ml. The CT number of chitosan-coated Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles measured 16, 30, 49, 66, 75 and 85, as well as, respective numbers for Iohexol were 5, 14, 25, 34, 44 and 57. Therefore, it displayed that X-ray attenuation of chitosan-coated Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticle was more in comparison with Iohexol at the same concentrations. Eventually, the results demonstrated that chitosan-coated Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles are a suitable candidate for commercial iodine contrast agent substitution.
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