In vitro Evaluation of the Effects of Fluconazole and Nano-Fluconazole on A. flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates

Background: Increasing azole resistance among Aspergillus strains was observed over the last decade. For this reason, viable alternatives for the current medicines are required. Objectives: The current study aimed at producing fluconazole-loaded liposomal nanoparticles and comparing in vitro antifungal activity of fluconazole and nano-fluconazole on Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus species isolated from patients and poultry. Methods: Fifty isolates of A. flavus and A. fumigatus were collected from visceral and superficial fungal lesions of humans as well as pulmonary fungal infection of poultry. Liposomal nanoparticles were prepared by thin-film hydration method, using soybean lecithin, cholesterol, and fluconazole in a ratio of 10:1:1. The nanoparticles were analyzed in terms of size, zeta potential, and morphology. Antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out to examine and evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluconazole and nano-fluconazole against Aspergillus species by the standard method of broth microdilution as described in CLSI (the clinical and laboratory standards institute) -M38A2. Results: The particle size of liposomes containing fluconazole was 88.9 ± 12.1 nm and its zeta potential was -20.12 ± 1.88 mv. Nano-liposomes containing fluconazole significantly reduced the MIC against A. flavus (P = 0.0005) and A. fumigatus (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The results of the current in vitro study showed that nano-fluconazole has better antifungal effects than the common form of drug on A. flavus and A. fumigatus species. The current study showed the antifungal activity of nano-drugs.