title: Synthesis, morphology and antifungal activity of nano-particulated amphotericin-B, ketoconazole and thymoquinone against Candida albicans yeasts and Candida biofilm.
abstract: In the current study, nano-particulated drugs-Amphotericin-B, Ketoconazole and Thymoquinone (an active ingredient of Nigella sativa)-were prepared using the ball milling technique, and their particle sizes were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and using a particle size analyzer. The grain sizes of the prepared compounds were found in between 5 to 20 nm, and exhibited quasi-spherical morphology. The antifungal activity of each nano-particulated drug was investigated in vitro against Candida albicans yeasts and Candida biofilm, and compared with their micro-structured conventional forms. Nano-sized drugs were found to be two to four times more effective in disinfecting both the Candida yeasts and Candida biofilm. The study is a first of its kind as nano-forms of drugs have not been studied against Candida and Candida biofilm before. Further investigations are required for the determination of the clinical significance of the nano-formulation of antifungal substances.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Research and Consultation Studies , University of Dammam , Dammam , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohammad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Randhawa
authors.forename: Mohammed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gondal
authors.forename: Al-Hosain J
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Al-Zahrani
authors.forename: Siddique G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ali
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010316:Particle Size; D013045:Species Specificity; D015003:Yeasts / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D016227:Benzoquinones; D000666:Amphotericin B; C003466:thymoquinone; D007654:Ketoconazole
keywords: Amphotericin-B; Candida albicans yeasts and biofilm; ketoconazole; nanodrugs; thymoquinone