A Novel Silver Nanoparticles‐Decorated Metal‐Organic Framework with Rapid and Sustained Antimicrobial Activity against Drug‐Resistant Candida albicans through Synergistic Chemodynamic and Sonodynamic Therapy

Abstract

AbstractVaginal candidiasis caused by Candida albicans is a chronic, recurrent disease that is difficult to treat. Current available antifungal drugs have limited efficacy and cause adverse effects necessitating novel therapeutic options. In this study, a novel metal‐organic framework (MOF) containing the sonosensitizer rose bengal (RB) and decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), Fe–MOF(RB)@AgNPs (MRA), is developed which integrates chemodynamic therapy (CDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) with the long‐term antifungal effects of AgNPs into a single nanoscale entity. MRA exhibited low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells and strong catalytic activity for the conversion of H2O2 to •OH under acidic conditions, similar to those found in vaginal candidiasis. When exposed to ultrasound, MRA generated 1O2 and offered rapid synergistic fungicidal effects through CDT and SDT, as well as long‐lasting antifungal benefits through AgNPs, leading to the complete eradication of drug‐resistant C. albicans. Moreover, MRA exhibited 99.999% efficacy against a clinical isolate of drug‐resistant C. albicans at 120 µg mL−1. Hence, MRA has considerable potential for clinical applications in the treatment of drug‐resistant C. albicans‐induced vaginal candidiasis.