Ag Nanoparticles/α-Ag2WO4 Composite Formed by Electron Beam and Femtosecond Irradiation as Potent Antifungal and Antitumor Agents

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 9;9(1):9927. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-46159-y.

Abstract

The ability to manipulate the structure and function of promising systems via external stimuli is emerging with the development of reconfigurable and programmable multifunctional materials. Increasing antifungal and antitumor activity requires novel, effective treatments to be diligently sought. In this work, the synthesis, characterization, and in vitro biological screening of pure α-Ag2WO4, irradiated with electrons and with non-focused and focused femtosecond laser beams are reported. We demonstrate, for the first time, that Ag nanoparticles/α-Ag2WO4 composite displays potent antifungal and antitumor activity. This composite had an extreme low inhibition concentration against Candida albicans, cause the modulation of α-Ag2WO4 perform the fungicidal activity more efficient. For tumor activity, it was found that the composite showed a high selectivity against the cancer cells (MB49), thus depleting the populations of cancer cells by necrosis and apoptosis, without the healthy cells (BALB/3T3) being affected.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis
  • BALB 3T3 Cells
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Electrons*
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles / administration & dosage
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / radiation effects
  • Mice
  • Oxides / chemistry*
  • Oxides / radiation effects
  • Silver / chemistry*
  • Silver / radiation effects
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Tungsten / chemistry*
  • Tungsten / radiation effects
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Oxides
  • Silver
  • tungsten oxide
  • Tungsten