The continuous emergence of Candida strains resistant to currently used antifungals demands the development of new alternatives that could reduce the burden of candidiasis. In this work silver nanoparticles synthesized using a green route are efficiently used, alone or in combination with fluconazole, amphotericin B or nystatine, to inhibit growth of C. albicans and C. glabrata oral clinical strains, including in strains showing resistance to fluconazole. A potent inhibitory effect over biofilm formation prompted by the two Candida species was also observed, including in mature biofilm cells. These results foster the use of phytotherapeutics as effective treatments in oral candidiasis.
Keywords: Punica granatum; oral candidiasis; phytotherapeutics; silver nanoparticles; ‘green’ synthesis.
© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology.