Antibacterial and antifungal activities of encapsulated Au and Ag nanoparticles synthesized using Argemone mexicana L extract, against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and Candida albicans

Recent studies showed that plant extracts enhance the antibacterial activity of conventional antibiotics. Those extracts could be used to synthesize nanoparticles for producing antibiotics with better results against microbial infections. We selected the medicinal plant Argemone mexicana L. and evaluated its antibacterial activity. An extract of this plant was used for synthesizing gold and silver nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of nanoparticles was tested against pathogenic bacteria by the Kirby-Bauer protocol. Strains bacteria were obtained directly from clinical isolates from a Hospital in Mexico. SEM analysis indicates that A. mexicana L. extract allows the synthesis of Au and Ag nanoparticles. Results indicate that the organic molecules from the extract and the Ag nanoparticles act synergically to increase inhibition effect in the growth of resistant bacteria, wild type bacteria and Candida albicans. In conclusion, the Ag nanoparticles obtained by A. mexicana L. extract have an excellent performance against antibiotic-resistant bacteria from a hospital environment, and in consequence, they have the potential to be used for producing more efficient antibiotics.