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El-Shiekh RA, Meselhy MR, Elshimy R, Ibrahim MA, Ali ME, Hassanen EI. Plumieride as a novel anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory iridoid against superficial candidiasis in mice. BMC Complement Med Ther 2024; 24:224. [PMID: 38858704 PMCID: PMC11163697 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04508-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In the past few decades, there has been a notable rise in the occurrence of several types of candidiasis. Candida albicans is the most common cause of superficial fungal infections in humans. In this study, plumieride, one of the major iridoids from Plumeria obtusa L. leaves, was isolated and investigated for its potential against Candida albicans (CA)-induced dermatitis in mice. qRT-PCR was done to assess the impact of plumieride on the expression of the major virulence genes of CA. Five groups (n = 7) of adult male BALB/c mice were categorized into: group I: non-infected mice; group II: mice infected intradermally with 107-108 CFU/mL of CA; group III: CA-infected mice treated with standard fluconazole (50 mg/kg bwt.); group IV and V: CA-infected mice treated with plumieride (25- and 50 mg/kg. bwt., respectively). All the treatments were subcutaneously injected once a day for 3 days. Skin samples were collected on the 4th day post-inoculation to perform pathological, microbial, and molecular studies. The results of the in vitro study proved that plumieride has better antifungal activity than fluconazole, manifested by a wider zone of inhibition and a lower MIC. Plumieride also downregulated the expression of CA virulence genes (ALS1, Plb1, and Hyr1). CA-infected mice showed extensive dermatitis, confirmed by strong iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB genes or immune expressions. Whereas the treatment of CA-infected mice with plumieride significantly reduced the microscopic skin lesions and modulated the expression of all measured proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory markers in a dose-dependent manner. Plumieride interfered with the expression of C. albicans virulence factors and modulated the inflammatory response in the skin of mice infected with CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riham A El-Shiekh
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
| | - Meselhy Rageb Meselhy
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Rana Elshimy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza, 12573, Egypt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Egyptian Drug Authority, Cairo, 15301, Egypt
| | - Marwa A Ibrahim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt
| | - Merhan E Ali
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt
| | - Eman I Hassanen
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt
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Ivanov M, Ćirić A, Stojković D. Emerging Antifungal Targets and Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2756. [PMID: 35269898 PMCID: PMC8911111 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite abundant research in the field of antifungal drug discovery, fungal infections remain a significant healthcare burden. There is an emerging need for the development of novel antifungals since those currently available are limited and do not completely provide safe and secure protection. Since the current knowledge regarding the physiology of fungal cells and the infection mechanisms is greater than ever, we have the opportunity to use this for the development of novel generations of antifungals. In this review, we selected and summarized recent studies describing agents employing different antifungal mechanisms. These mechanisms include interference with fungal resistance, including impact on the efflux pumps and heat shock protein 90. Additionally, interference with virulence factors, such as biofilms and hyphae; the impact on fungal enzymes, metabolism, mitochondria, and cell wall; and antifungal vaccines are explored. The agents investigated belong to different classes of natural or synthetic molecules with significant attention given also to plant extracts. The efficacy of these antifungals has been studied mainly in vitro with some in vivo, and clinical studies are needed. Nevertheless, there is a large quantity of products employing novel antifungal mechanisms that can be further explored for the development of new generation of antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Ivanov
- Department of Plant Physiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (A.Ć.); (D.S.)
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Silva E Souza E, Barcellos VDA, Sbaraini N, Reuwsaat JCV, Schneider RDO, da Silva AC, Garcia AWA, von Poser GL, Barbosa EG, Lima JPMS, Vainstein MH. A Plumieridine-Rich Fraction From Allamanda polyantha Inhibits Chitinolytic Activity and Exhibits Antifungal Properties Against Cryptococcus neoformans. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2058. [PMID: 32983042 PMCID: PMC7483551 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused mainly by the pathogenic yeasts Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. The infection initiates with the inhalation of propagules that are then deposited in the lungs. If not properly treated, cryptococci cells can disseminate and reach the central nervous system. The current recommended treatment for cryptococcosis employs a three-stage regimen, with the administration of amphotericin B, flucytosine and fluconazole. Although effective, these drugs are often unavailable worldwide, can lead to resistance development, and may display toxic effects on the patients. Thus, new drugs for cryptococcosis treatment are needed. Recently, an iridoid named plumieridine was found in Allamanda polyantha seed extract; it exhibited antifungal activity against C. neoformans with a MIC of 250 μg/mL. To address the mode of action of plumieridine, several in silico and in vitro experiments were performed. Through a ligand-based a virtual screening approach, chitinases were identified as potential targets. Confirmatory in vitro assays showed that C. neoformans cell-free supernatant incubated with plumieridine displayed reduced chitinase activity, while chitinolytic activity was not inhibited in the insoluble cell fraction. Additionally, confocal microscopy revealed changes in the distribution of chitooligomers in the cryptococcal cell wall, from a polarized to a diffuse cell pattern state. Remarkably, further assays have shown that plumieridine can also inhibit the chitinolytic activity from the supernatant and cell-free extracts of bacteria, insect and mouse-derived macrophage cells (J774.A1). Together, our results suggest that plumieridine can be a broad-spectrum chitinase inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eden Silva E Souza
- Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Nicolau Sbaraini
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | | | - Adriana Corrêa da Silva
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
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