فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

The increasing prevalence of dermatophytic infections caused by Trichophyton species highlights the urgent demand for safer and more effective antifungal therapies. In this study, iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) were synthesized through a green approach using methanolic Iraqi propolis extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. The obtained FeNPs were characterized by UV–Vis. spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The UV–Vis. spectrum exhibited a distinct absorption peak at approximately 280 nm, confirming nanoparticle formation, while FESEM analysis revealed irregular particles with an average size of 54.34 ± 1.22 nm. FTIR confirmed the presence of functional groups from propolis compounds, including O–H, C=O, and Fe–O, capping the nanoparticle surface. XRD patterns indicated the crystalline nature of the particles, with sizes ranging from 57 to 109 nm. Antifungal assays demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibition of T. rubrum, with minimum inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations of 0.250 µg/mL and 2 µg/mL, respectively. Overall, propolis-capped FeNPs exhibited notable antifungal activity, combining the inherent antimicrobial properties of iron oxide and propolis to provide a promising, sustainable, and safer therapeutic alternative for resistant dermatophyte infections.