Candida Albicans Biofilm Inhibition By Bio-Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles (Au-Nps) Synthesized Using Sphaeranthus amaranthoides- A Medicinal Herb

Abstract

Background Mineral nanoparticles production enroute through green chemistry has gained potential application in the pharmaceutical applications. The present paper focuses on the synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Sphaeranthus amaranthoides as a reducing agent and their usage against Candida albicans

Methods: Biosynthesized gold nano particles of Sphaeranthus were characterized by using Ultra violet spectroscopy, fourier transformed infra red spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope. Biosynthesises particles were evaluated for anti candidal activity by inhibition of biofilm, followed by ergosterol determination and effect on mitochondrial membrane potential using rhodoamine 123. Toxicity studies were carried out on Zebra fish.

Results: A single peak band of surface Plasmon resonance was observed at 540-550 nm range which was corroborated with the scanning electron microscope. Analysis of FTIR showed the presence of band peaks in the range of 1500 cm⁻¹ - 1700 cm^−.1. Anti candidal investigation using Crystal violet assay revealed that Au-NPs at 1000 ng concentration have inhibited 70.6% of C. albicans biofilm. Ergosterol content was found to be decreased to 68.2 and 84% of effect on mitochondrial membrane potential. In vivo toxicity test with zebrafish embryo substantiated that Au-NPs showed >85% survival rate at 48h of exposure to Au-NPs. at lower concentrations. Bioactive gold nanoparticles development leads to functional materials for biomedical and therapeutic applications

Conclusion: Conjugation of S. amaranthoides with gold nanoparticle may be the responsible factor for enhancing the anticandidal activity leading to development and functional materials for biomedical and therapeutic applications