Antimicrobial Activity of Green Silver Nanoparticles against Fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans in Animal Model

Abstract

F UNGAL infections due to fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans are a serious clinical problem, requiring new efficient antifungal treatment. The present study evaluated the susceptibility of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans to green silver nanoparticles. A total of 40 isolates were examined for the expressions of CDR1, CDR2, and MDR1 gene by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The antifungal activities of green silver nanoparticles alone and/or in combination with fluconazole (to improve antifungal activity) were assessed by broth microdilution assay and transmission electron microscopy. The effect of fluconazole and/or green silver nanoparticles on the production of C. albicans to protease and phospholipase was also evaluated. And finally, animal model was used to prove the safe and effective use of green silver nanoparticles in the treatment of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans. For all the tested C. albicans strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of fluconazole and green silver nanoparticles were 64 and 4.84 µg/ml, respectively. Green silver nanoparticles decrease the production of protease and phospholipase enzymes. The expression of both CDR1 and CDR2 were decreased after exposure to green silver nanoparticles, while the expression of CDR 1, CDR 2 and MDR 1 were all decreased when fluconazole and green silver nanoparticles were used. Green silver nanoparticles may be causing suppression of the CDR1, CDR2 and MDR1 expression in fluconazole-resistant C. albicans. The results suggest the use of green silver nanoparticles as a safe and effective treatment against fluconazole-resistant C. albicans.

Biosynthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from the Extremophile Plant Aeonium haworthii and Their Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anti-Diabetic Capacities

“…The results obtained in the co-cultural model ( Candida + AgNPs), indicate the significant alteration of blastospores, and the absence of the filamentous morphogenesis which was required for biofilm formation. Several studies mentioned that silver nanoparticles highlighted the reduction in enzyme production as well as the elimination of biofilm formation in Candida strains [ 62 , 63 ]. Biofilm communities have been reported to be more virulent and resistant than free planktonic cells, and prevent attack by the host immune systems.…”

Photodynamic impact of curcumin enhanced silver functionalized graphene nanocomposites on Candida virulence

“…The secretion of hydrolytic enzymes was studied by the method of Eladly et al with slight modifications [ 43 ]. Candida spp.…”

Silver Nanoparticle and Plant Molecule Combinations Synergistically Inhibit Drug Resistant Biofilms in Candida albicans

“…The FICI values were calculated by the formula ΣFIC = FIC A + FIC B FIC A = (MIC of drug A in combination / MIC of drug A alone) of plant origin are very well known for their anti-Candida activity [12][13][14]. Synergistic combinations of molecules such as thymol, carvacrol, allyl isothiocynate, berberine, retegeric acid, eugenol, glabridin, baicalein, and berberin with antifungal agents are reported [10,11,15].…”