Synthesis, Characterization, and Inhibitory Potential of Fagonia arabica L. Phytochemicals Coated Gold Nanoparticles Against Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

In the current study, a novel formulation comprising gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) and Fagonia arabica L. (F. arabica L.) phytochemicals, was designed and conjugated to evaluate inhibitory potential against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The chemically synthesized AuNPs were characterized followed by anti-Mtb potential of F. arabica L. extracts were which is significantly increased when used as a conjugate with AuNPs. The drug-resistant Mtb isolates in MGIT show that F. arabica L. phytochemicals, in conjugation with AuNPs, exhibit greater inhibitory activity than plant extracts alone at a concentration of 4.28 µg/mL. In vivo analysis showed no significant toxicity of the nanoconjugates. The plant extract was analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography in which 17 antimycobacterial components, including 14 from Traditional Chinese Medicine Class, were also identified. While plant-mediated AuNPs synthesis and their general antibacterial properties have been reported, our study offers distinct novelty through the specific use of F. arabica L., direct comparison of chemical versus green synthesis, the efficacy against MDR clinical isolates, and combined in vitro efficacy and in vivo safety validation. Overall, a good anti-TB activity of F. arabica L. in conjugation with AuNPs was found, paving the way for the development of new anti-TB agents against drug-resistant Mtb.