Metal Nanoparticles to Combat Candida albicans Infections: An Update

Abstract

Candidiasis is an opportunistic mycosis with high annual incidence worldwide. In these infections, Candida albicans is the chief pathogen owing to its multiple virulence factors. C. albicans infections are usually treated with azoles, polyenes and echinocandins. However, these antifungals may have limitations regarding toxicity, relapse of infections, high cost, and emergence of antifungal resistance. Thus, the development of nanocarrier systems, such as metal nanoparticles, has been widely investigated. Metal nanoparticles are particulate dispersions or solid particles 10–100 nm in size, with unique physical and chemical properties that make them useful in biomedical applications. In this review, we focus on the activity of silver, gold, and iron nanoparticles against C. albicans. We discuss the use of metal nanoparticles as delivery vehicles for antifungal drugs or natural compounds to increase their biocompatibility and effectiveness. Promisingly, most of these nanoparticles exhibit potential antifungal activity through multi-target mechanisms in C. albicans cells and biofilms, which can minimize the emergence of antifungal resistance. The cytotoxicity of metal nanoparticles is a concern, and adjustments in synthesis approaches or coating techniques have been addressed to overcome these limitations, with great emphasis on green synthesis.

Farnesol and Selected Nanoparticles (Silver, Gold, Copper, and Zinc Oxide) as Effective Agents Against Biofilms Formed by Pathogenic Microorganisms

“…40 The effectiveness of metal nanoparticles against C. albicans has nevertheless been proven by showing, among other things, that they attach to the cell wall and membrane and accumulate inside both structures, causing ion release or dysfunction of enzymes and DNA. 41 A similar action is observed when nanoparticles interact with bacteria. Exposure of nanoparticles to bacterial cells results in the adhesion of metal nanoparticles to the cell surface, which leads to damage to the cell membrane and penetration of the nanoparticles into the cell.…”

Structure, Antioxidant Activity and Antimicrobial Study of Light Lanthanide Complexes with p-Coumaric Acid

“…Metal complexes with amino acids have been shown to have an antibacterial effect against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and against fungal pathogens [ 34 ]. In addition, metal nanoparticles are used as carriers of antifungal drugs to increase their biocompatibility and effectiveness [ 35 ]. As a result of the conducted analyses, it was shown that metal ions significantly increase the growth-inhibiting properties of p-CAH 2 in relation to yeast, as well as Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.…”

Synergistic activity of gold nanoparticles with amphotericin B on persister cells of Candida tropicalis biofilms

“…The search to find new antimicrobials for the prevention and treatment of Candida biofilm-associated infections has been gaining greater interest, with an increasing investigation into newer methods including novel nanotechnology-based approaches [ 16 , 18 , 40 ]. Although metal NPs have demonstrated a remarkable potential against bacterial infections, they have limited use in the treatment of fungal infections and have not been shown to be useful in new approaches to eradicate PCs within biofilms [ 19 , 20 , 41 – 43 ].…”