Understanding the Antifungal Mechanism of Ag@ZnO Core-shell Nanocomposites against Candida krusei

Sci Rep. 2016 Nov 4:6:36403. doi: 10.1038/srep36403.

Abstract

In the present paper, facile synthesis of Ag@ZnO core-shell nanocomposites is reported where zinc oxide is coated on biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized using Andrographis paniculata and Aloe vera leaf extract. Structural features of as synthesized nanocomposites are characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, and FTIR. Morphology of the above core-shell nanocomposites is investigated by electron microscopy. As synthesized nanocomposite material has shown antimicrobial activity against Candida krusei, which is an opportunistic pathogen known to cause candidemia. The possible mode of activity of the above material has been studied by in-vitro molecular techniques. Our investigations have shown that surface coating of biogenic silver nanoparticles by zinc oxide has increased its antimicrobial efficiency against Candida krusei, while decreasing its toxicity towards A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cell lines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aloe / chemistry
  • Aloe / metabolism
  • Andrographis / chemistry
  • Andrographis / metabolism
  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry*
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Candida / drug effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Green Chemistry Technology
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry
  • Nanocomposites / toxicity*
  • Particle Size
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Silver / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • X-Ray Diffraction
  • Zinc Oxide / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Silver
  • Zinc Oxide