Antifungal and anti-proliferative effects of zeolites A and X on yeast pathogenic and cancer cells in vitro

Efficient radiation and radiochemotherapy without interruption is a major challenge for developing cancer treatment with clinical relevance. Here, we synthesized low silica zeolite X and zeolite A, and characterized them using methods including, Nitrogen Adsorption and Desorption and X-ray diffraction. Porosity measurements revealed external surface areas of 27.10 and 19.18 m²/g, and volumes of 0.016 and 0.012 cm³/g respectively. The zeolite X nanoparticles with the larger external surface area prevented cancer cells growth but zeolite A which had smaller surface area had opposite effect on the cancer cell lines. We observed inhibitory effects of 52% in HeLa cervical and 97% in both Vero and RAW 264.7 cancer cells respectively in the presence of zeolite X nanoparticles. We also observed 17% inhibition in C. albicans growth at zeolite X concentrations up to 10 ng/μL contrary to the enhancement of C. albicans cell growth in the presence of zeolite A at the same concentrations. The current work showed the selective inhibition of cancer cells using two zeolites of different external surface areas, pore volumes and configuration but the same chemical composition.