Synergistic antifungal effect of chitosan-stabilized selenium nanoparticles synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquids against Candida albicans biofilms

• Published in: International journal of nanomedicine Vol. 13; pp. 2697 - 2708
• Main Authors: Lara, Humberto H, Guisbiers, Gregory, Mendoza, Jonathan, Mimun, Lawrence C, Vincent, Brandy A, Lopez-Ribot, Jose L, Nash, Kelly L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Antifungal Agents - chemical synthesis; Antifungal Agents - chemistry; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Automation; biofilm; Biofilms; Biofilms - drug effects; Candida albicans; Candida albicans - drug effects; Candida albicans - pathogenicity; Candida albicans - physiology; Candidiasis; Cell Line; chitosan; Chitosan - chemistry; Chitosan - pharmacology; Combination drug therapy; Computer simulation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug dosages; Drug resistance; Drug therapy; Drug Therapy, Combination; Electron microscopy; Health aspects; Humans; laser ablation in liquids; Lasers; Medical research; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microscopy; Morbidity; Mortality; Mycoses; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - administration & dosage; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - toxicity; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology - methods; Novels; Original Research; Pathogenesis; R&D; Research & development; Scanning electron microscopy; Selenium; Selenium (Chemical element); Selenium - chemistry; Selenium - pharmacology; selenium nanoparticles; Software; Sulfur; synergy; Virulence (Microbiology); Yeast; United States > US; Candida albicans; chitosan; synergy; laser ablation in liquids; biofilm; selenium nanoparticles
• ISSN: 1178-2013; 1176-9114; 1178-2013
• DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S151285

is a major opportunistic fungal pathogen. One of the most important virulence factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of candidiasis is its ability to form biofilms. A key characteristic of biofilms is their resistance to antifungal agents. Due to significant morbidity and mortality rates related to biofilm-associated drug resistance, there is an urgency to develop novel nanotechnology-based approaches preventing biofilm-related infections. In this study, we report, for the first time, the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles by irradiating selenium pellets by nanosecond pulsed laser ablation in liquid chitosan as a capping agent. Synergy of the fungicidal effect of selenium nanoparticles and chitosan was quantified by the combination index theorem of Chou-Talalay. This drug combination resulted in a potent fungicidal effect against a preformed biofilm in a dose-response manner. By advanced electron microscopy techniques, we documented the adhesive and permeabilizing properties of chitosan, therefore allowing selenium nanoparticles to enter as the cell wall of the yeast became disrupted and distorted. Most importantly, we demonstrated a potent quantitative synergistic effect when compounds such as selenium and chitosan are combined. These chitosan-stabilized selenium nanoparticles could be used for ex vivo applications such as sterilizers for surfaces and biomedical devices.