Antifungal Potential of silver nanoparticles from Acacia nilotica Pod against Dermatophytes

Abstract

Background: Superficial fungal infections can lead to systemic infection in immune-compromised individuals. Acacia nilotica pod have been used ethnomedical to treat dermatophytes infection for ages. In this study, the anti-dermatophytes potential of silver nanoparticles biogenically synthesized using extracts from pod of A. nilotica against dermatophytes isolated from secondary care hospital in Damaturu, North-East Nigeria. Experimental:Phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis were conducted to screen the phytoconstituents of the plant material. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by Uv-vis, FT-IR, and SEM. 133 samples (skin scraping) were screened for dermatophytes and antifungal susceptibility testing were conducted against the isolates using aqueous, methanolic extracts, and AgNPs. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, oxalate, quinones, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, GS-MS revealed the presence Polyphenolics including Hexadecenoic, Octadecanoic and Undecanoic acids, Catechol, pyrogallol, 3-methylpyridine and methylmannose. Uv-vis of synthesized AgNPs exhibited double sharp absorbance at 308nm and 311nm, FT-IR showed functional groups, thus, OH, C – H, C≡N, and C=O stretches of phenolics, alkenes, nitrile, and ketones respectively, and SEM showed various characteristic shapes and sizes. out of 133 samples collected, 54% were male and the age group with the highest clinical presentation were51 – 60, followed by 1 – 10years. according to clinical presentation, Tinea pedis (36%) and T. capitis (29%) were the commonest which may be due to constant contact with water and limited hair care. Aetiologic agents isolated include Trichophyton mentagrophyles (51%), T. rubrum (34%), and T. tonsurans (14%), although, there is no significant relationship between the clinical presentation and disease agent (p-value < 21.3 at 95% confidence level). AgNPs showed wider consistent zones of inhibitions against all the isolates. Discussion: A. nilotica is indeed very rich in polyphenolics. Foot and hair infections commonest in the study could be due to current weather conditions but sharing of footwear, caps, and brushes should be discouraged. Conclusion: This study opens up possibilities for exploration of this eco and economic approach of improving the medicinal value of plants, an opportunity the pharmaceutical industries can utilize. This study is the first to report prevalence of dermatophytes in the area &explored the AgNPs against it.