Siddiqui, RuqaiyyahKhatoon, BushraKawish, MuhammadSajeev, SreedeviFaizi, ShaheenShah, Muhammad RazaAlharbi, Ahmad M.Khan, Naveed Ahmed2025-04-162025-04-162024Siddiqui, R., Khatoon, B., Kawish, M., Sajeev, S., Faizi, S., Shah, M. R., ... & Khan, N. A. (2024). The potential of nanocomposites (patuletin-conjugated with gallic acid-coated zinc oxide) against free-living amoebae pathogens. International Microbiology, 1-11.1139-67091618-1905http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10123-024-00584-whttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12713/6005Free-living amoebae infections are on the rise while the prognosis remains poor. Current therapies are ineffective, and there is a need for novel effective drugs which can target Naegleria, Balamuthia, and Acanthamoeba species. In this study, we determined the effects of a nano-formulation based on flavonoid patuletin-loaded gallic acid functionalized zinc oxide nanoparticles (PA-GA-ZnO) against Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, and Naegleria trophozoites. Characterization of the nano-formulation was accomplished utilizing analytical tools, namely Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, drug entrapment efficiency, polydispersity index, dimensions, and surface morphologies. Anti-amoebic effects were investigated using amoebicidal assay, cytopathogenicity assay, and cytotoxicity of the nano-formulation on human cells. The findings revealed that nano-formulation (PA-GA-ZnO) displayed significant anti-amoebic properties and augmented effects of patuletin alone against all three brain-eating amoebae. When tested alone, patuletin nano-formulations showed minimal toxicity effects against human cells. In summary, the nano-formulations evaluated herein depicts efficacy versus Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, and Naegleria. Nonetheless, future studies are needed to comprehend the molecular mechanisms of patuletin nano-formulations versus free-living amoebae pathogens, in addition to animal studies to determine their potential value for clinical applications.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessAcanthamoebaAnti-AmoebicBalamuthiaCentral Nervous System InfectionsNanocompositeNanotechnologyPatuletin-Zinc OxideArticleWOS:0013134257000012-s2.0-85204102953Q310.1007/s10123-024-00584-wQ2