BiTCoN: A Bimodal Therapy Against Candida Albicans

Biosynthesized thermoactive copper nanoparticles (BiTCoN) from Tinospora cordifolia plantextracts exhibited efficacy against biofilm formation, hyphae transition, and surface adhesion in Candidaalbicans. Adhesion is an initiator of virulence factors such as dimorphism, proliferation,stress tolerance, & antigenicity, which promote biofilm formation in the host. The thermal capacity ofBiTCoN is was more compared to only aqueous plant extract. In our study, copper in nanoformenhances the colloidal solution’s thermal conductivity by holding the heat. Time-killing assay, cellwall protection assay, and hemolytic assay were useful for checking the cytotoxicity of BiTCoN oncells and understanding the mechanism of action on C. albicans. This therapy works in a combinationwhere nano formulation killing the Candida cells by heat effect and plant extract prevents furtherrecurrence. Also, BiTCoN induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production inCandida cells that promote free radical formation leading to oxidative damage and, consequently, death ofCandida cells. The electron microscopic studies revealed that the fungal cell disintegration occurs whenBiTCoN interacts with C. albicans cells. Therefore, various experiments proved that BiTCoN could inhibitC. albicans strains which are potent and safe antifungal agents.