scholarly journals Mini Review: Biologically Synthesized Nanoparticles as Antifungal Agents

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
Siti Nur Amalina Mohamad Sukri ◽  
Kamyar Shameli ◽  
Teow Sin-Yeang ◽  
Nur Afini Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Biological Synthesis ◽  
The Public ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Drug Resistant Strains

Fungal infections are affecting millions of people in the world every year. Severity of infections range from superficial mycoses to more chronic systemic mycoses. As more fungi species evolve, emergence of drug resistant strains is becoming a serious concern to the public health. There is now less number of effective antifungal drugs available in the market for treatment of invasive fungal infections. In an effort to combat this escalating issue, the use of nanoparticles as antifungal agent has been proposed and explored. Versatility of nanoparticles and its unique physico-chemical properties are proven beneficial for developing new therapeutic methods in treatment of fungal infections. Nanoparticles produced from biological synthesis have attracted keen interests from researchers, as they are more environmentally friendly, sustainable, cost-effective, and biocompatible. This mini review will provide an insight on the current antifungal studies and discuss the theory behind mechanism of actions of nanoparticles.

scholarly journals Antifungal susceptibility testing of candida – Methods and issues in current practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1778-1784
Author(s):  
Lakshmi Krishnasamy ◽  
Priya Santharam ◽  
Chitralekha Saikumar
Keyword(s):  
Current Practice ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Testing Methods ◽  
Antifungal Drug Resistance ◽  
Resistant Strains

Despite the availability of many antifungal drugs in clinical practice, the occurrence of antifungal drug resistance is on the rise. Since the antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) is not done routinely in many of the microbiology laboratories, it is very difficult to determine which antifungal agent is very effective for a particular infection. There is a real need for precise, reproducible and extrapolative antifungal susceptibility testing methods to aid the therapeutic management. The practice of empirical treatment for fungal infections further promotes the emergence of resistant strains. The AFST practice would essentially help the clinicians in appropriate decision making. Although conventional AFST methods are somewhat cumbersome, many novel AFST methods are currently available in many laboratory settings which would provide a quicker result many times. In essence, the application of AFST along with identification of the fungus up to species level would definitely be very helpful in selecting the primary antifungal agents for treatment especially in difficult to manage and invasive fungal infections. This review will throw light on the various AFST methods available and their issues in the current practice.

Potential of Nanoparticles in Combating Candida Infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 478-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizan Abul Qais ◽  
Mohd Sajjad Ahmad Khan ◽  
Iqbal Ahmad ◽  
Abdullah Safar Althubiani
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Candida Infections ◽  
Made In

Aims: The aim of this review is to survey the recent progress made in developing the nanoparticles as antifungal agents especially the nano-based formulations being exploited for the management of Candida infections. Discussion: In the last few decades, there has been many-fold increase in fungal infections including candidiasis due to the increased number of immunocompromised patients worldwide. The efficacy of available antifungal drugs is limited due to its associated toxicity and drug resistance in clinical strains. The recent advancements in nanobiotechnology have opened a new hope for the development of novel formulations with enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improved drug delivery and low toxicity. Conclusion: Metal nanoparticles have shown to possess promising in vitro antifungal activities and could be effectively used for enhanced and targeted delivery of conventionally used drugs. The synergistic interaction between nanoparticles and various antifungal agents have also been reported with enhanced antifungal activity.

scholarly journals Bi2O3 nano-flakes as a cost-effective antibacterial agent

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke D Geoffrion ◽  
David Medina Cruz ◽  
Matthew Kusper ◽  
Sakr Elsaidi ◽  
Fumiya Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bismuth Oxide ◽  
Antibacterial Agent ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Bismuth Compound ◽  
Photo Catalysis ◽  
Physico Chemical

Bismuth oxide is an important bismuth compound having applications in electronics, photo-catalysis and medicine. At the nanoscale, bismuth oxide experiences a variety of new physico-chemical properties because of its increased...

Biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles by Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans and comparison of their effects with antifungal drugs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdi Hosseini Bafghi ◽  
Razieh Nazari ◽  
Majid Darroudi ◽  
Mohsen Zargar ◽  
Hossein Zarrinfar
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Selenium Nanoparticles ◽  
Fungal Strains ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Abstract Biosynthesis of nanoparticles can stand as a replacement for the available chemical and physical methods by offering new procedures as green syntheses that have proved to be simple, biocompatible, safe, and cost-effective. Considering how nanoparticles with a size of 1 to 100 nanometers contain unique physical and chemical properties, recent reports are indicative of observing the antifungal qualities of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs). Recently, the observance of antifungal resistance towards different species of these fungi is often reported. Therefore, due to the antifungal effects of biological nanoparticles, this study aimed to investigate the exertion of these nanoparticles and evaluate their effects on the growth of fungal pathogens. Se-NPs were biosynthesized by the application of wet reduction method, which included specific concentrations of Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans. The presence of nanoparticles was confirmed by methods such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR analysis, and FESEM electron microscope that involved FESEM and EDAX diagram. The fungal strains were cultured in sabouraud dextrose agar medium to perform the sensitivity test based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method in duplicate. The utilization of Se-NPs at concentrations of 1 µg/ ml and below resulted in zero growth of fungal agents. However, their growth was inhibited by antifungal drugs at concentrations of 2 µg/ ml and higher. Based on the obtained results, biological nanoparticles produced by fungal agents at different concentrations exhibited favorable inhibitory effects on the growth of fungal strains.

scholarly journals Acylhydrazones as Antifungal Agents Targeting the Synthesis of Fungal Sphingolipids

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Lazzarini ◽  
Krupanandan Haranahalli ◽  
Robert Rieger ◽  
Hari Krishna Ananthula ◽  
Pankaj B. Desai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Fungal Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Properties ◽  
Pass Through

ABSTRACTThe incidence of invasive fungal infections has risen dramatically in recent decades. Current antifungal drugs are either toxic, likely to interact with other drugs, have a narrow spectrum of activity, or induce fungal resistance. Hence, there is a great need for new antifungals, possibly with novel mechanisms of action. Previously our group reported an acylhydrazone called BHBM that targeted the sphingolipid pathway and showed strong antifungal activity against several fungi. In this study, we screened 19 derivatives of BHBM. Three out of 19 derivatives were highly active againstCryptococcus neoformansin vitroand had low toxicity in mammalian cells. In particular, one of them, called D13, had a high selectivity index and showed better activity in an animal model of cryptococcosis, candidiasis, and pulmonary aspergillosis. D13 also displayed suitable pharmacokinetic properties and was able to pass through the blood-brain barrier. These results suggest that acylhydrazones are promising molecules for the research and development of new antifungal agents.

An overview of Natural Superdisintegrants

2021 ◽  
pp. 113-124
Author(s):  
Shushank Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Aqueous Media ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Drug Formulation ◽  
Release Time ◽  
Disintegration Time ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Set Up

The oral route is the most convenient route of administration for various drugs. It is viewed as the most convenient, most secure, and economical route for patients. Fast disintegrating tablets are popular these days as they disintegrate in the mouth within a few seconds without the use of water. The burdens of regularly used medications in pediatric and geriatric patients have been overwhelmed by quick-dissolving tablets. Natural superdisintegrants have been used for fast-dissolving tablets because they are biodegradable, chemically inert, non-harmful, more affordable, and generally accessible. Natural polymer improves the properties of the tablet as it is commonly used as diluents and binders. Natural super disintegrants decrease the release time and give healthful results to the patients. Most polymers are obtained from nature, they are cost-effective, non-toxic, and non-irritants. Disintegration is the most important step for releasing the drug from the tablet matrix to decrease the disintegration time. In this, drug and polymers come in contact with water, it swells, hydrate, and react chemically to release the drug in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Superdisintegrants are those substances that encourage the quick breaking down with a lesser amount contrasted with disintegrants. The quick disintegrants tablets are set up by utilizing suitable polymers which rely on the Physico-chemical properties of drugs and excipients, for example, drug and polymer compatibility, hardness and thickness of tablet, nature of drug and excipients, PH of drug and release parameters of drug formulation. Superdisintegrants are the vehicles added to tablet formulation to advance the breaking of tablets and capsules into small microparticles in aqueous media resulting in to increase in the surface area and promote quick drug release. The disintegrants have a significant capacity to oppose the efficacy of tablet binders and compression forces to form the tablet. Commonly there are three methods to incorporate disintegrants into the tablet: A. Inner addition, B. External expansion, C. Internal, and external addition. Most of the regularly based tablets are those expected to be swallow, disintegrate and release medicaments in the gastrointestinal tract but over a while tablets are manufactured to deliver medicaments in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract within few seconds of swallowing. It has been demonstrated that characteristic polymers are more effective than synthetic polymers. Some research is going to develop safe and effective medication with super disintegrating agents that can be dissolved rapidly to treat the disease.

Microbe Associated Phytoremediation Technology for Management of Oil Sludge

2015 ◽  
pp. 1-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil Kumar ◽  
Monika Chandrabhan Dhote
Keyword(s):  
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Oil Sludge ◽  
Sludge Disposal ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Petroleum Refineries ◽  
Mutagenic Effects

Environmental contamination due to petroleum compounds is a serious global issue. Oil /petroleum refineries produce huge amount of oil sludge during drilling, storage, transport, refining which spoil soil and ground water resources. Such activities release different compounds viz. alkane, mono- polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), asphaltene, resins and heavy metals. Due to physico-chemical properties, PAHs are one of most targeted compounds as they are highly persistent, carcinogenic, and have mutagenic effects on ecosystem. Such problems of PAHs drag researcher's attention to find some reliable and cost effective solution for oil sludge disposal management. Since last few decades, extensive research work has been carried out on various methods for treatment of oil sludge. In recent years, microbial assisted phytoremediation treatment technologies are being studied since these are reliable and cost effective for field applications. Here, we have discussed about combined eco-friendly technology of plant and microbe(s) to treat oil sludge for its better management.

scholarly journals Synergistic Antifungal Activity of Chitosan with Fluconazole against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Fluconazole-Resistant Strains

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (21) ◽  
pp. 5114
Author(s):  
Wei-Hsuan Lo ◽  
Fu-Sheng Deng ◽  
Chih-Jung Chang ◽  
Ching-Hsuan Lin
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Candida Tropicalis ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Combinational Treatment ◽  
Fluconazole Resistant ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Drug Resistant Strains

(1) Background: Few antifungal drugs are currently available, and drug-resistant strains have rapidly emerged. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the antifungal activity from a combinational treatment of chitosan with a clinical antifungal drug on Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. (2) Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests, checkerboard assays, and disc assays were employed to determine the inhibitory effect of chitosan with or without other antifungal drugs on C. albicans and C. tropicalis. (3) Results: Treatment with chitosan in combination with fluconazole showed a great synergistic fungicidal effect against C. albicans and C. tropicalis, but an indifferent effect on antifungal activity when challenged with chitosan-amphotericin B or chitosan-caspofungin simultaneously. Furthermore, the combination of chitosan and fluconazole was effective against drug-resistant strains. (4) Conclusions: These findings provide strong evidence that chitosan in combination with fluconazole is a promising therapy against two Candida species and its drug-resistant strains.

scholarly journals In Vitro Antifungal Activities of a Series of Dication-Substituted Carbazoles, Furans, and Benzimidazoles

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (10) ◽  
pp. 2503-2510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Del Poeta ◽  
Wiley A. Schell ◽  
Christine C. Dykstra ◽  
Susan K. Jones ◽  
Richard R. Tidwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Fusarium Solani ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Inhibitory Compounds ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fluconazole Resistant ◽  
Resistant Strains

ABSTRACT Aromatic dicationic compounds possess antimicrobial activity against a wide range of eucaryotic pathogens, and in the present study an examination of the structures-functions of a series of compounds against fungi was performed. Sixty-seven dicationic molecules were screened for their inhibitory and fungicidal activities againstCandida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. The MICs of a large number of compounds were comparable to those of the standard antifungal drugs amphotericin B and fluconazole. Unlike fluconazole, potent inhibitory compounds in this series were found to have excellent fungicidal activities. The MIC of one of the most potent compounds against C. albicans was 0.39 μg/ml, and it was the most potent compound against C. neoformans (MIC, ≤0.09 μg/ml). Selected compounds were also found to be active againstAspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium solani,Candida species other than C. albicans, and fluconazole-resistant strains of C. albicans and C. neoformans. Since some of these compounds have been safely given to animals, these classes of molecules have the potential to be developed as antifungal agents.

Antibiofilm activity of antifungal drugs, including the novel drug olorofim, against Lomentospora prolificans

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Kirchhoff ◽  
Silke Dittmer ◽  
Ann-Kathrin Weisner ◽  
Jan Buer ◽  
Peter-Michael Rath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Antibiofilm Activity

Abstract Objectives Patients with immunodeficiency or cystic fibrosis frequently suffer from respiratory fungal infections. In particular, biofilm-associated fungi cause refractory infection manifestations, linked to increased resistance to anti-infective agents. One emerging filamentous fungus is Lomentospora prolificans. Here, the biofilm-formation capabilities of L. prolificans isolates were investigated and the susceptibility of biofilms to various antifungal agents was analysed. Methods Biofilm formation of L. prolificans (n = 11) was estimated by crystal violet stain and antibiofilm activity was additionally determined via detection of metabolically active biofilm using an XTT assay. Amphotericin B, micafungin, voriconazole and olorofim were compared with regard to their antibiofilm effects when added prior to adhesion, after adhesion and on mature and preformed fungal biofilms. Imaging via confocal laser scanning microscopy was carried out to demonstrate the effect of drug treatment on the fungal biofilm. Results Antibiofilm activities of the tested antifungal agents were shown to be most effective on adherent cells whilst mature biofilm was the most resistant. The most promising antibiofilm effects were detected with voriconazole and olorofim. Olorofim showed an average minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of 0.06 mg/L, when added prior to and after adhesion. The MBECs of voriconazole were ≤4 mg/L. On mature biofilm the MBECs of olorofim and voriconazole were higher than the previously determined MICs against planktonic cultures. In contrast, amphotericin B and especially micafungin did not exhibit sufficient antibiofilm activity against L. prolificans. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the antibiofilm potential of olorofim against the human pathogenic fungus L. prolificans.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document