EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF SYNTHESIZED ZINC SULPHIDE NANOPARTICLES AND THEIR POTENTIATION BY THE ANTICANCER DRUG IMATINIB

ABSTRACT

                Imatinib was screened for its antimicrobial activity against twelve pathogenic strains. Zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles were synthesized by simple aqueous chemical reaction of zinc chloride and sodium sulphide in an aqueous solution. The main advantage of  ZnS nanoparticles of diameter 29 nm was that the sample could be  prepared by using of cheap precursors in a cost effective and eco-friendly manner.  Structural, morphological and chemical composition of the prepared  nanoparticles were investigated by X-Ray Diffraction(XRD),Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) with energy dispersion X-ray dispersive fluorescence spectroscopy (EDAX) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The antimicrobial effects of the zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanocrystals   and the anticarcinogenic agent  imatinib were studied by spot inoculation technique and also by well diffusion technique against twelve pathogenic bacterial strains.  Nanoparticles of ZnS showed antimicrobial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative strains except Shigella sonnei.  The anticancer drug imatinib was inhibitory for only Gram positive organisms, Bacillus subtilis and Staphyloccus aureus. Synergism between imatinib and ZnS nanoparticles was distinctly observed in all the Gram positive strains.

Key words: zinc sulfide, nanoparticles, aqueous chemical synthesis, imatinib, antimicrobial activity.