Abstract
In terms of reduced toxicity, the biologically inspired green synthesis of nanoparticles has emerged as a promising alternative to chemically fabricated nanoparticles. The use of a highly stable, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly aqueous extract of Cynara cardunculus as a reducing and capping agent in this study demonstrated the possibility of green manufacturing of silver nanoparticles (CC-AgNPs). UV-visible spectroscopy validated the development of CC-AgNPs, indicating the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) λ(max) band at 438 nm. The band gap of CC-AgNPs was found to be 2.26 eV. SEM and TEM analysis examined the surface morphology of CC-AgNPs, and micrographs revealed that the nanoparticles were spherical. The crystallinity, crystallite size, and phase purity of as-prepared nanoparticles were confirmed using XRD analysis, and it was confirmed that the CC-AgNPs were a face-centered cubic (fcc) crystalline-structured material. Furthermore, the role of active functional groups involved in the reduction and surface capping of CC-AgNPs was revealed using the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic technique. CC-AgNPs were mostly spherical and monodispersed, with an average size of 26.89 nm, and were shown to be stable for a longer period without any noticeable change at room temperature. Further, we checked the antifungal mechanism of CC-AgNPs against C. auris MRL6057. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) were 50.0 µg/mL and 100.0 µg/mL respectively. The cell count and viability assay confirmed the fungicidal potential of CC-AgNPs. Further, the analysis showed that CC-AgNPs could induce apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in C. auris MRL6057. Our results also suggest that the CC-AgNPs were responsible for the induction of mitochondrial toxicity. TUNEL assay results revealed that higher concentrations of CC-AgNPs could cause DNA fragmentation. Therefore, the present study suggested that CC-AgNPs hold the capacity for antifungal drug development against C. auris infections.