ANTIFUNGAL AND MOLECULAR ASSESSMENT OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA AND ITS SILVER NANOPARTICLES AGAINST MALASSEZIA SPP. ISOLATED FROM IRAQI PATIENTS
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Objective: Considering the growing resistance of various fungi to antifungal drugs doses, and side-effects and challenges involved in the use of azole agents, this study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of neem seed extract and its green-fabricated silver nanoparticles (NS-AgNPs) against 40 clinical Malassezia species isolates from Wasit Province - Iraq was assessed. Method: The crude extract showed MIC and MFC values of 12.5 and 25 mg/mL, respectively, while AI-AgNPs displayed much greater potency (MIC = 0.125 mg/mL; MFC = 0.250 mg/mL). Correspondingly, inhibition zones reached 12.86 mm for the extract and 15.71 mm for AI-AgNPs. Results: AI-AgNPs also downregulated the lipase gene by ~2.75-fold, indicating reduced virulence, with higher infection rates noted among younger individuals. Novelty: These findings highlight neem-based nanoparticles as a promising, low-cost natural antifungal therapy, warranting further cytotoxicity and clinical validation.
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