Design of commercially comparable nanotherapeutic agent against human disease-causing parasite, Leishmania

Sci Rep. 2018 Jun 11;8(1):8814. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-27170-1.

Abstract

Nanotherapeutic agents (NTA) play a crucial role in clinical medicine, if their unique properties are well understood and well exploited. In this direction, we report synthesis and characterization of highly potent phytofabricated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Sechium edule, which served the purpose of both reducing and capping agent. The designed AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, HR-TEM, and TGA techniques. The formation of AgNPs was also confirmed using electrochemistry, which to the best of our knowledge has never been reported before for biosynthesized nanoparticles. The antileishmanial potential of AgNPs was examined on the clinical isolates of Leishmania donovani promastigote cells in an in vitro experimental setting. A dose dependent killing activity of the AgNP was observed with an IC50 value of 51.88 ± 3.51 µg/ml. These results were also compared using commercially available drug, miltefosine. Furthermore, the clinical applicability of AgNP, as antileishmanial agent was proven by testing them against normal mammalian monocyte cell line (U937). The results were statistically analyzed and no significant toxicity of AgNPs on the normal mammalian cells was observed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiprotozoal Agents / chemistry
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / metabolism*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / toxicity
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cucurbitaceae / metabolism*
  • Electrochemistry
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Leishmania donovani / drug effects*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / drug therapy*
  • Metal Nanoparticles
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Silver Compounds / chemistry
  • Silver Compounds / metabolism*
  • Silver Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Silver Compounds / toxicity
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • U937 Cells

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Silver Compounds