Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by petals extract of Rosa indica L., its formulation as nail paint and evaluation of antifungal activity against fungi causing onychomycosis

Abstract

Aim: The authors report the biological synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) from the petals extract of Rosa indica L. (rose). Its efficacy was evaluated against two dermatophytes: namely: Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis which cause onychomycosis. The activity of antibiotics against the tested dermatophytes was enhanced, when evaluated in combination with ZnO-NPs. Methods and results: The synthesised ZnO-NPs were preliminary detected by using ultraviolet UV visible spectroscopy, which showed specific absorbance. The ZnO-NPs were further characterised by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction and Zetasizer. Moreover, nanoparticles containing nail paint (nanopaint) was formulated and its antifungal activity was also assessed against T. mentagrophytes and M. canis. ZnO-NPs and formulated nanopaint containing ZnO-NPs, both showed significant antifungal activity. The maximum activity was noted against M. canis and lesser against T. mentagrophytes. Minimum inhibitory concentration of ZnO-NPs was also determined against the dermatophytes causing onychomycosis infection. Conclusion: ZnO-NPs can be utilised as a potential antifungal agent for the treatment of onychomycosis after more experimental trials.

Figures

Fig. 1

Proposed mechanism of ZnO‐NPs synthesis

Fig. 2

UV–vis spectra of synthesised ZnO‐NPs (spectra A – rose petals extract and spectra B – ZnO‐NPs)

Fig. 3

Nanosight (LM‐20) image showing the average size of ZnO‐NPs (50 nm)

Fig. 4

Zeta potential graph of the ZnO‐NPs showing zeta potential (millivolts) at −18.4

Fig. 5

TEM micrographs showing the size of ZnO‐NPs around 100 nm

Fig. 6

Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy spectra of ZnO‐NP (a) Control, (b) Experimental, where: Control – rose petals extract, Experimental – ZnO‐NPs

Fig. 7

XRD pattern of ZnO‐NPs synthesised from rose petals extract showing FCC region

Fig. 8

Antifungal activity of ZnO‐NPs, where ZnO‐NPs – zinc oxide nanoparticles, Ab – antibiotic (ketoconazole), ZnO‐NP + Ab – ZnO‐NPs + antibiotic (ketoconazole)

Fig. 9

Antifungal activity of formulated nail paint, where ZnO‐NPs – zinc oxide nanoparticles and formulated nail paint – nail paint containing ZnO‐NPs

Fig. 10

Possible antifungal mechanism