Antifungal activity of eugenol-loaded polyacrylonitrilenanofibers against dermatophytes

Background and Aim : Dermatophytes are a group of pathogenic zoonotic fungi that are involvedin different types of skin disorders in animals and humans. The aim of this study was to investigatethe possibility of using eugenol in a drug delivery system made of polyacrylonitrile nanofibers,which can be used at a reasonable cost to provide a practical structure for its topical use in thetreatment of dermatophytosis.Methods : Polyacrylic nitrile was added to the polymer solution using electrospinning synthesistechnique and different percentages of eugenol (۱۰-۴۰%). Scanning electron microscope was usedto measure the diameter of nanofibers. Drug loading and release rate was measured using aspectrophotometer. Antifungal effects and biocompatibility of drug-releasing nanofibers in vitrousing disk diffusion and their toxicity were investigated using MTT assay on macrophage cell lineof A.۱ J۷۷۴ mice.Results : Growth inhibition rate of Trichophyton mentagrophitis, T. rubrum and T. tonsurans inthe presence of polyacrylonitrile nanofibers loaded with eugenol ۴۰%, ۳۰%, ۲۰% and ۱۰% wereevaluated about ۹۰, ۷۰, ۵۰, and ۲۵%, respectively. Also, polyacrylonitrile nanofibers withconcentrations of ۱۰ to ۴۰% eugenol had not shown any effect on cell survival of macrophage cellsof J۷۷۴ A.۱ mice using MTT technique for ۲۴ and ۴۸ hours.Conclusion : Considering the results of antifungal effects of the polyacrylonitrile nanofibersloaded with eugenol and its lack of cytotoxicity, it is possible that eugenol as an antifungalcompound can be released directly into the site of infection and show more effective contactbetween the fungal target and the drug.

کلیدواژه ها:

Dermatophytes ، Eugenol ، Polyacrylonitrile ، Nanofibers ، Antifungal activity