Green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles and evaluate their effect on the expression of ERG3, ERG11 and FKS1 antifungal resistance genes in Candida albicans and Candida glabrata

Drug resistance in Candida species has been considerably increased in the last decades. Given the opposition to antifungal agents, toxicity and interactions of the antimicrobial drugs, identifying new antifungal agents seems essential. This study assessed the antifungal effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on the standard strains of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata and determined the expression genes, including ERG3, ERG11 and FKS1. Selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) were biosynthesized with a standard strain of C. albicans and approved by several methods including, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction technique, Fourier-transform infrared analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and EDX diagram. The antifungal susceptibility testing performed the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using the CLSI M27-A3 and M27-S4 broth microdilution method. The expression of the desired genes was examined by the real-time PCR assay between untreated and treated by antifungal drugs and Se-NPs. The MICs of itraconazole, amphotericin B and anidulafungin against C. albicans and C. glabrata were 64, 16 and 4 mu g ml(-1). In comparison, reduced the MIC values for samples treated with Se-NPs to 1 and 0 center dot 5 mu g ml(-1). The results obtained from real-time PCR and analysis of the increment increment C-q values showed that the expression of ERG3, ERG11 and FKS1 genes was significantly down-regulated in Se-NPs concentrations (P < 0 center dot 05). This study's evidence implies biosafety Se-NPs have favourable effects on the reducing expression of ERG3, ERG11 and FKS1 antifungal resistance genes in C. albicans and C. glabrata.

Automated summary

Drug resistance in Candida species has increased in recent decades. This study assessed the antifungal effects of nanoparticles on Candida strains and determined the expression of resistance genes. The results showed that selenium nanoparticles had favorable effects on reducing the expression of antifungal resistance genes in Candida species.