Antifungal Activity of Selenium Nanoparticles Extracted from Capparis decidua Fruit against Candida albicans.

ABSTRACT

Nanotechnology has introduced nanoparticulate form of selenium for a wide variety of applications. Nanoparticles can be used in medicine due to their increased interaction with microbes and also because it has fewer side effects than the drugs. Selenium nanoparticles have unique biomedical applications ranging from antioxidant activity to anticancer activity. It is distinct with its high biological activity and low toxicity and cytotoxic property. Capparis decidua also called as karira belonging to Capparaceae family is a xerophytic small branched shrub found in Africa, Middle East and South Asia. Its fruit is used for preparing curry and pickles in the western parts of India. In our study, the selenium nanoparticles were extracted from its fruit. Candida albicans is pathogenic yeast in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and the urogenital tract affecting the immunocompromised patients and causes various types of infections. It has gained resistance to present antifungals and new formulations are needed to be discovered. MethodsPlant extract was prepared from Capparis decidua fruit powder and filtered using Whatman No. 1 filter paper. It was kept in magnetic stirrer for nanoparticle synthesis. Colour change was observed which indicates the synthesis of nanoparticles. UV visible spectroscopy was taken in proper intervals. The nanoparticles synthesized were purified by centrifugation technique and checked for its antifungal activity. Antifungal activity of the prepared nanoparticles against Candida albicans was determined by using agar well diffusion assay method or agar disc diffusion method. The zone of inhibition formed around the disc indicates the sensitivity of the fungi to the plant extract. The inhibition zone diameter was measured using a ruler and compared with the inhibition zone formed by the positive control drug which was done in parallel. ResultsAntifungal activity was showed by an inhibition zone which was characterized by a clear zone around the wells. The diameter of the inhibition zone formed for 50 mL of the plant extract was 20.33 mm ± 0.47, for 100 mL of the plant extract was 28.33 mm ± 0.47, for 150 mL of the plant extract was 30.33 mm ± 0.47 and for the positive control drug was 34.33 mm ± 0.47. ConclusionsThe diameter of the inhibition zones was compared with the positive control drug. Selenium nanoparticles extracted from Capparis decidua fruit showed high activity against Candida albicans. Further in vivo research can be done for the same and it may represent an alternative for treating fungal infections.