Evaluation of cytotoxicity of nano graphene quantum dots and their in vitro antifungal activity on Candida albicans and Candida glabrata

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, attention has been paid to new drug delivery systems such as Nano medicines for the treatment of diseases. Today, nanoparticles have found wide applications. Objective: Evaluation of cytotoxicity of nano graphene quantum dots and their in vitro antifungal activity on Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.Methods: In this research, the cytotoxicity of nano graphene quantum dots on HFF2 cell line was investigated using MTT assay. In order to study the antimicrobial effect of nano quantum dot graphene, the diameter of the halo of no growth was determined. The minimum growth inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by serial dilution method in liquid culture medium. Next, the amount of minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was checked, and finally, the death time of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata cells was studied using the time kill study method.Results: Determining the diameter of the halo of non-growth showed that the effect of quantum dots against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata is less than amphotericin (as a standard) but comparable to it. The MIC for Candida albicans and Candida glabrata is 1.25 mg/cc and 6.25 mg/cc, respectively, and the MFC is 2.5 mg/cc and 25 mg/cc, respectively. The MTT test showed that with increasing amount of graphene quantum dot, its cytotoxicity for human cells also increases.Conclusion: Graphene quantum dots have good antimicrobial effects comparable to standard antifungal drugs (amphotericin) against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Also, the results showed that Candida glabrata is less sensitive to the antimicrobial effects of graphene quantum dots than Candida albicans. The selectivity factor for graphene quantum dots against human and fungal cells is low, and these nanoparticles, in addition to being toxic against fungi, may harm human cells as well.