EVALUATION OF ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY AND CYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF FRUIT MEDIATED ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES
P. HARINI
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
R. HANNAH *
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
S. RAJESHKUMAR
Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the present study is to prepare zinc oxide nanoparticles using Punica granatum and Elettaria cardamomum and determine its antifungal activity against Candida albicans and also check its cytotoxicity.
Introduction: Zinc oxide nano-particles are widely used in the medical field and research because of its innate antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activity and low toxicity. Green synthesis of these nanoparticles is more preferred because it is simple, relatively reproducible, cost-effective and more stable materials which are non toxic.
Materials and Methods: Aqueous fruit extract of P. granatum and E. cardamomum were used to prepare the green zinc oxide nanoparticles. The characteristics of nanoparticles was then determined using UV spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Antifungal activity was evaluated using agar well diffusion method and cytotoxicity using brine shrimp lethality assay.
Results and Conclusion: It can be concluded that P. granatum and E. cardamomum extract enabled the synthesis of stable zinc oxide nanoparticles. The nanoparticles thus formed were also found to have good antifungal property with 50 μL of nanoparticles having a zone of inhibition of 12mm, 100 μL was 22mm and 24mm for 150 μL. Lethality assay showed 80% live shrimp larvae in 20-30 μL concentration of the nanoparticles. However, the cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles needs to be further evaluated. In future they can be incorporated into various products like toothpaste, mouth wash, mouth paint etc in order to facilitate their effect.
Keywords: Candida albicans, cardamom, cytotoxicity, fruit extract, green synthesis, pomegranate, zinc oxide nanoparticles.