Silver‐doped 58S bioactive glass as an anti‐ <i>Leishmania</i> agent

Abstract

Abstract Bioactive glasses ( BG ) incorporating antimicrobial agents can be effectively used against microorganisms. In this work, the in vitro effectiveness of silver‐doped 58S BG ( BGA g) against Leishmania species was studied. BG , BGA g1, and BGA g2 belonging to the system 58SiO 2 ∙(36‐x) CaO·6P 2 O 5 · xA g 2 O, where x=0, 1, and 2 mol.% Ag, were synthesized via sol‐gel, and characterized by scanning electron ( SEM ) and atomic force ( AFM ) microscopy, thermogravimetric analyses ( TGA ), X‐ray diffraction ( XRD ), Fourier‐transform infrared ( FTIR ), and surface‐enhanced Raman (Raman‐ SERS ) spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity was assessed in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis cultures were exposed to all groups, and C57 BL /6 macrophages were infected by over metacyclic form L. amazonensis under the exposure of BGA g particles. SEM and AFM images showed an irregular and network arranged surface. TGA , XRD , FTIR , and RAMAN ‐ SERS analyses confirmed silver inclusion within BG . None of the BG and BGA g presented toxicity. BGA g2 was effective in controlling promastigote forms under 150 and 300 μg/ mL concentrations of both evaluated species. On macrophage invasion assay, BGA g2 presented reduction in metacyclic forms. For 72 hours, BGA g1 (150 μg/ mL ), BGA g1 (300 μg/ mL ), and BGA g2 in all concentrations were effective against intracellular infection. BGA g could be used as an alternative or complimentary agent to current chemotherapy.