Toxicity effects of AgZnO nanoparticles and rifampicin on Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the macrophage

The World Health Organization acknowledges tuberculosis as a global threat. Tuberculosis infection is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Nanotechnology and microbiology researchers are looking for new and safe nano drugs for eliminating Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis. In this study, AgZnO nano‐crystals (AgZnONCs) is synthesized via the decomposition of the precursor of oxalate method. Characterization of AgZnONCs were evaluated. Next, various concentrations of AgZnONCs, as well AgZnONCs+Rifampicin, were prepared. The MTT assay was employed to study the viability of human macrophage cell lines (THP‐1) exposed to AgZnONCs. The bactericidal effects of AgZnONCs and AgZnONCs+Rifampicin were studied by Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) test. Subsequently, THP‐1 were infected by H37Rv strain of M. tuberculosis (H37RvMtb). Also, bactericidal effects of AgZnONCs and AgZnONCs+Rifampicin were compared with ex‐vivo conditions. The MBC of AgZnONCs and AgZnONCs+Rifampicin were ratios of 1:4 and 1:32 respectively (p‐value