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Wang H, Li H, Liu Z, Zhu Z, Cao Y. Activity of thonningianin A against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:96. [PMID: 38212967 PMCID: PMC10784352 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12996-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections are increasing rapidly, and antifungal agents used in clinics are limited. Therefore, novel antifungal agents with high efficiency are urgently required. In this study, we investigated the antifungal activity of thonningianin A (THA), a natural compound that is widely found in plants. We first determined the activity of THA against Candida albicans, one of the most common fungal pathogens, and found that THA showed antifungal activity against all C. albicans tested, including several fluconazole-resistant isolates. THA also inhibits the growth of non-Candida albicans species. In addition, THA displayed antibiofilm activity and could not only inhibit biofilm formation but also destroy mature biofilms. The in vivo antifungal efficacy of THA was confirmed in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Further studies revealed that THA could enhance intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and regulate the transcription of several redox-related genes. Specifically, caspase activity and expression of CaMCA1, a caspase-encoding gene in C. albicans, were remarkably increased upon THA treatment. Consistent with this, in the presence of THA, the Camca1 null mutant displayed higher survival rates and reduced caspase activity compared to the wild-type or CaMCA1-reintroduced strains, indicating an important role of CaMCA1 in the antifungal activity of THA. Taken together, our results indicate that THA possesses excellent antifungal activity and may be a promising novel antifungal candidate. KEY POINTS: • THA exhibits activity against Candida species, including fluconazole-resistant isolates • THA inhibits biofilm formation and destroys mature biofilm • Elevated ROS production and CaMCA1-mediated caspase activity are involved in the antifungal mechanisms of THA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Dermatology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - ZhiWei Liu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China
| | - ZhenYu Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - YingYing Cao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200443, China.
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Martins Oliveira-Brito PK, de Campos GY, Guimarães JG, Machado MP, Serafim LC, Lazo Chica JE, Roque-Barreira MC, da Silva TA. Adjuvant ArtinM favored the host immunity against Cryptococcus gattii infection in C57BL/6 mice. Immunotherapy 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38940276 DOI: 10.1080/1750743x.2024.2360384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: Cryptococcus gattii causes a severe fungal infection with high mortality rate among immunosuppressed and immunocompetent individuals. Due to limitation of current antifungal treatment, new immunotherapeutic approaches are explored. Methods: This study investigated an immunization strategy utilizing heat-inactivated C. gattii with ArtinM as an adjuvant. C57BL/6 mice were intranasally immunized with heat-killed C. gattii and ArtinM was administrated either before immunization or along with HK-C. gattii. Mice were infected with C. gattii and the efficacy of the immunization protocol was evaluated. Results: Mice that received ArtinM exhibited increased levels of IL-10 and relative expression of IL-23 in the lungs, reduced fungal burden and preserved tissue integrity post-infection. Conclusion: Adjuvant ArtinM improved immunization against C. gattii infection in C57BL/6 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Kellen Martins Oliveira-Brito
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology & Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Yamazaki de Campos
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology & Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlia Garcia Guimarães
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology & Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michele Procópio Machado
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology & Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia Costa Serafim
- Microbiology Postgraduate Program of the Microbiology Department of the Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICB) of University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Javier Emílio Lazo Chica
- Institute of Natural & Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Roque-Barreira
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology & Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Aparecido da Silva
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology & Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Clinical Hematology Lab, Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Araraquara (FCFAR), Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
- National Institute of Science & Technology in Human Pathogenic Fungi, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo,Brazil
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Schinas G, Spernovasilis N, Akinosoglou K. Antifungal pipeline: Is there light at the end of the tunnel? World J Clin Cases 2024; 12:2686-2691. [PMID: 38899281 PMCID: PMC11185321 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i16.2686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The misuse and overuse of classic antifungals have accelerated the development of resistance mechanisms, diminishing the efficacy of established therapeutic pathways and necessitating a shift towards alternative targets. Despite this pressing need for new treatments, the antifungal drug pipeline has been largely stagnant for the past three decades, primarily due to the high risks and costs associated with antifungal drug development, compounded by uncertain market returns. Extensive research durations, special patient populations and rigorous regulatory demands pose significant barriers to bringing novel antifungal agents to market. In response, the "push-pull" incentive model has emerged as a vital strategy to invigorate the pipeline and encourage innovation. This editorial critically examines the current clinical landscape and spotlights emerging antifungal agents, such as Fosmanogepix, Ibrexafungerp, and Olorofim, while also unraveling the multifaceted challenges faced in new antifungal drug development. The generation of novel antifungals offers a beacon of hope in the battle against antimicrobial resistance, but it is premature to declare them as definitive solutions. Their future role hinges on thorough clinical validation, cost-effectiveness assessments, and continuous post-marketing surveillance. Only through strategic implementation and integration with market strategies we can transform the landscape of antifungal development, addressing both the resistance crisis and the treatment challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Schinas
- Department of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
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Yu S, He YQ, Liu Y, Ji S, Wang Y, Sun B. Construction and Activity Evaluation of Novel Bifunctional Inhibitors and a COF Carrier Based on a Fungal Infection Microenvironment. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8420-8444. [PMID: 38718180 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Faced with increasingly serious fungal infections and drug resistance issues, three different series of novel dual-target (programmed death ligand 1/14 α-demethylase) compounds were constructed through the fragment combination pathway in the study. Their chemical structures were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated. Among them, preferred compounds 10c-1, 17b-1, and 18b-2 could efficiently exert their antifungal and antidrug-resistant fungal ability through blocking ergosterol biosynthesis, inducing the upregulation of reactive oxygen species level, and triggering apoptosis. Especially, compound 18b-2 exhibited the synergistic function of fungal inhibition and immune activation. Moreover, the covalent organic framework carrier was also generated based on the acidic microenvironment of fungal infection to improve the bioavailability and targeting of preferred compounds; this finally accelerated the body's recovery rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Yu
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Yan-Qin He
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Yating Liu
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Shilei Ji
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Yajing Wang
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Bin Sun
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
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Manzano JAH, Brogi S, Calderone V, Macabeo APG, Austriaco N. Globospiramine Exhibits Inhibitory and Fungicidal Effects against Candida albicans via Apoptotic Mechanisms. Biomolecules 2024; 14:610. [PMID: 38927014 PMCID: PMC11201426 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis is considered an emerging public health concern because of the occurrence of drug-resistant Candida strains and the lack of an available structurally diverse antifungal drug armamentarium. The indole alkaloid globospiramine from the anticandidal Philippine medicinal plant Voacanga globosa exhibits a variety of biological activities; however, its antifungal properties remain to be explored. In this study, we report the in vitro anticandidal activities of globospiramine against two clinically relevant Candida species (C. albicans and C. tropicalis) and the exploration of its possible target proteins using in silico methods. Thus, the colony-forming unit (CFU) viability assay revealed time- and concentration-dependent anticandidal effects of the alkaloid along with a decrease in the number of viable CFUs by almost 50% at 60 min after treatment. The results of the MIC and MFC assays indicated inhibitory and fungicidal effects of globospiramine against C. albicans (MIC = 8 µg/mL; MFC = 8 µg/mL) and potential fungistatic effects against C. tropicalis at lower concentrations (MIC = 4 µg/mL; MFC > 64 µg/mL). The FAM-FLICA poly-caspase assay showed metacaspase activation in C. albicans cells at concentrations of 16 and 8 µg/mL, which agreed well with the MIC and MFC values. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation experiments suggested globospiramine to bind strongly with 1,3-β-glucan synthase and Als3 adhesin-enzymes indirectly involved in apoptosis-driven candidal inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Anthony H. Manzano
- The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines;
- UST Laboratories for Vaccine Science, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines;
- Laboratory for Organic Reactivity, Discovery, and Synthesis (LORDS), Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines
| | - Simone Brogi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Calderone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Allan Patrick G. Macabeo
- Laboratory for Organic Reactivity, Discovery, and Synthesis (LORDS), Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines
| | - Nicanor Austriaco
- UST Laboratories for Vaccine Science, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines;
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines
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Niu ZX, Hu J, Sun JF, Wang YT. Fluorine in the pharmaceutical industry: Synthetic approaches and application of clinically approved fluorine-enriched anti-infectious medications. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116446. [PMID: 38678824 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The strategic integration of fluorine atoms into anti-infectious agents has become a cornerstone in the field of medicinal chemistry, owing to the unique influence of fluorine on the chemical and biological properties of pharmaceuticals. This review examines the synthetic methodologies that enable the incorporation of fluorine into anti-infectious drugs, and the resultant clinical applications of these fluorine-enriched compounds. With a focus on clinically approved medications, the discussion extends to the molecular mechanisms. It further outlines the specific effects of fluorination, which contribute to the heightened efficacy of anti-infective therapies. By presenting a comprehensive analysis of current drugs and their developmental pathways, this review underscores the continuing evolution and significance of fluorine in advancing anti-infectious treatment options. The insights offered extend valuable guidance for future drug design and the development of next-generation anti-infectious agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Xi Niu
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450018, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450018, China.
| | - Jin-Feng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, College of Pharmacy, Yanji, Jilin,133002, China.
| | - Ya-Tao Wang
- First People's Hospital of Shangqiu, Henan Province, Shangqiu, 476100, China; Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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da Costa B, Pippi B, Chaves M, Agostineto G, Fuentefria AM. In vitro determination of the combination of ciclopirox and terbinafine in the treatment of dermatophytosis. J Mycol Med 2024; 34:101464. [PMID: 38367460 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2024.101464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The cases of dermatophytosis are increasing and they are associated with a higher number of therapeutic failures leading the doctor to prescribe combinations of antifungals as therapy. The objective was to evaluate the interaction of terbinafine and ciclopirox, the most commonly antifungals used in the clinic, in dermatophyte isolates. METHODOLOGY The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of ciclopirox and terbinafine were determined by the broth microdilution method according CLSI and the checkerboard assay was used to evaluate the interaction between the antifungal agents. RESULTS For terbinafine the mic50 was 0.125 ug/mL and mic90 was 0.250 ug/mL. For ciclopirox the values were 2.0 ug/mL for mic50 and 4.0 ug/mL for mic90. No synergistic interaction was observed for the dermatophyte isolates tested. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the use of terbinafine in combination with ciclopirox, which is widely used in the clinic, may not be a good choice for the treatment of onychomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara da Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Laboratório de Pesquisa em Micologia Aplicada, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Bruna Pippi
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Micologia Aplicada, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Magda Chaves
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Micologia Aplicada, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Agostineto
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Micologia Aplicada, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Meneghello Fuentefria
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Laboratório de Pesquisa em Micologia Aplicada, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Reginatto P, Agostinetto GDJ, Teixeira ML, de Andrade SF, Fuentefria AM. Synergistic activity of clioquinol with voriconazole and amphotericin B against fungi of interest in eye infections. J Mycol Med 2024; 34:101462. [PMID: 38290229 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2024.101462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Keratoplasty represents a risk factor for fungal eye infections, despites the antibacterial actives in the corneal tissue preservation means, it does not contain active substances with antifungal action. Among the most commonly associated fungal agents are the species belonging to the genera Fusarium and Candida. These agents can trigger an infectious process characterized by swift progression associated with high rates of morbidity, causing irreversible damage. Polyene and azole antifungals are the main agents of ocular therapy, however, they demonstrate some limitations, such as their toxicity and fungal resistance. In this context, drug repositioning and the combination of antifungals may be an alternative. Hence, the goal of this study was to investigate the potential activity of clioquinol (CLQ), a derivative of 8-hydroxyquinoline with previously described antifungal activity, along with its triple and quadruple combinations with antifungal agents commonly used in ophthalmic fungal therapy, natamycin (NAT), voriconazole (VRC), and amphotericin B (AMB), against main fungal pathogens in eye infections. The MICs for CLQ ranged from 0.25 to 2.0 μg/mL, for NAT from 4.0 to 32.0 μg/mL, for AMB it ranged from 0.25 to 16.0 μg/mL and for VRC from 0.03125 to 512.0 µg/mL. Among the tested combinations, the VRC-AMB-CLQ combination stands out, which showed a synergistic effect for more than 50 % of the tested strains and did not present antagonistic results against any of them. Toxicity data were similar to those antifungals already used, even with lower potential toxicity. Therefore, both clioquinol and the triple combination VCR-AMB-CLQ exhibited promising profiles for use as active components in corneal tissue preservation medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Reginatto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Saulo Fernandes de Andrade
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Departamento de Produção de Matéria-Prima, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Meneghello Fuentefria
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Departamento de Análises, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Sindi AM, Rizg WY, Khan MK, Alkhalidi HM, Alharbi WS, Sabei FY, Alfayez E, Alkharobi H, Korayem M, Majrashi M, Alharbi M, Alissa M, Safhi AY, Jali AM, Hosny KM. Tailoring and optimization of a honey-based nanoemulgel loaded with an itraconazole-thyme oil nanoemulsion for oral candidiasis. Drug Deliv 2023; 30:2173337. [PMID: 36708105 PMCID: PMC9888461 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2023.2173337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of essential oil-based nanoemulsions (NEs) has been the subject of extensive research on a variety of conditions affecting the oral cavity. NEs are delivery methods that improve the solubility and distribution of lipid medicines to the intended areas. Because of their antibacterial and antifungal properties, itraconazole and thyme oil-based self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (ItZ-ThO-SNEDDS) were created to protect oral health against oral microorganisms. The ItZ-ThO-SNEDDS were created utilizing an extreme verices mixture design, and varying concentrations of ThO (10% and 25%), labrasol (40% and 70%), and transcutol (20% and 40%) were used. The ItZ-ThO-SNEDDS had droplet sizes of less than 250 nm, a drug-loading efficiency of up to 64%, and a fungal growth inhibition zone of up to 20 mm. The accepted design was used to obtain the ideal formulation, which contained ThO in the amount of 0.18 g/ml, labrasol 0.62 g/ml, and transcutol 0.2 g/ml. The best ItZ-ThO-SNEDDS formulation was incorporated into a honey-based gel, which demonstrated improved release of ItZ in vitro and improved transbuccal permeation ex vivo. In addition, when compared with various formulations tested in rats, the optimized loaded emulgel decreased the ulcer index. This study therefore demonstrated that the ItZ-ThO-SNEDDS could offer an effective defense against oral diseases caused by microbial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal M. Sindi
- Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Y. Rizg
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Khalid Khan
- Department of Biochemical Materials, Beautsway commercial foundation, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hala M. Alkhalidi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed S. Alharbi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad Y. Sabei
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Alfayez
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanaa Alkharobi
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Korayem
- Preventive Dental Sciences Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Albaha University, Albaha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Majrashi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, 23890, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majed Alharbi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alissa
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Awaji Y. Safhi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmajeed M. Jali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled M. Hosny
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah21589, Saudi Arabia,CONTACT Khaled M. Hosny Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Ezquer-Garin C, Aguilar G, Ferriols-Lisart R, Alos-Almiñana M. Validated HPLC-UV method for amphotericin B quantification in a critical patient receiving AmBisome and treated with extracorporeal replacement therapies. Biomed Chromatogr 2023; 37:e5749. [PMID: 37727118 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.5749] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AMB) is a polyene macrolide antifungal agent used for treating invasive fungal infections. Liposomal AMB is a lipid dosage form, available as AmBisome, which reduces the toxicity of the drug. A simple HPLC-UV method was developed for the determination of AMB in plasma to study its pharmacokinetic profile in a critical patient receiving AmBisome and treated with extracorporeal replacement therapies. Sample preparation was performed using plasma deproteinization and drug release from liposome by the addition of acetonitrile (ACN)/zinc sulfate and ultrasonication. Chromatographic separation was performed using a C18 column and a mobile phase consisting of phosphate buffer (pH 3.0)/ACN (65/35, v/v). The UV detector was set at 407 nm. The total run time analysis was 23 min. The method was validated according to the standard guidelines and applied to study the pharmacokinetics of AMB in a critical patient. The total run time analysis obtained was shorter than that of the previously reported methods, being useful for therapeutic drug monitoring or pharmacokinetic profile research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Ezquer-Garin
- INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pharmacy, University Clinical Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gerardo Aguilar
- INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Clinical Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael Ferriols-Lisart
- INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pharmacy, University Clinical Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Alos-Almiñana
- INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pharmacy, University Clinical Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Al-Sarraj F, Alotibi I, Al-Zahrani M, Albiheyri R, Alghamdi MA, Nass NM, Abd-Ellatif S, Makhlof RTM, Alsaad MA, Sajer BH, Elshafie HS. Green Synthesis of Chitosan-Capped Gold Nanoparticles Using Salvia officinalis Extract: Biochemical Characterization and Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities. Molecules 2023; 28:7762. [PMID: 38067495 PMCID: PMC10707927 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing antimicrobial resistance to the action of existing antibiotics has prompted researchers to identify new natural molecules with antimicrobial potential. In this study, a green system was developed for biosynthesizing gold nanoparticles (BAuNPs) using sage (Salvia officinalis L.) leaf extract bioconjugated with non-toxic, eco-friendly, and biodegradable chitosan, forming chitosan/gold bioconjugates (Chi/BAuNPs). Characterization of the BAuNPs and Chi/BAuNPs conjugates takes place using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray spectra, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and zeta potential (Z-potential). The chemical composition of S. officinalis extract was evaluated via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). This study evaluated the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of human pathogenic multidrug-resistant (MDR) and multisensitive (MS) bacterial isolates using the agar diffusion method. Chi/BAuNPs showed inhibition of the MDR strains more effectively than BAuNPs alone as compared with a positive standard antibiotic. The cytotoxicity assay revealed that the human breast adenocarcinoma cancer cells (MCF7) were more sensitive toward the toxicity of 5-Fu + BAuNPs and 5-Fu + Chi/BAuNPs composites compared to non-malignant human fibroblast cells (HFs). The study shows that BAuNPs and Chi/BAuNPs, combined with 5-FU NPs, can effectively treat cancer at concentrations where the free chemical drug (5-Fu) is ineffective, with a noted reduction in the required dosage for noticeable antitumor action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Al-Sarraj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (F.A.-S.); (R.A.); (M.A.A.); (N.M.N.); (B.H.S.)
| | - Ibrahim Alotibi
- Health Information Technology Department, Applied College, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Majid Al-Zahrani
- Biological Science Department, College of Science and Art, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Raed Albiheyri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (F.A.-S.); (R.A.); (M.A.A.); (N.M.N.); (B.H.S.)
- Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashail A. Alghamdi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (F.A.-S.); (R.A.); (M.A.A.); (N.M.N.); (B.H.S.)
| | - Nada M. Nass
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (F.A.-S.); (R.A.); (M.A.A.); (N.M.N.); (B.H.S.)
| | - Sawsan Abd-Ellatif
- Bioprocess Development Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), City of Scientific Research (SRTA-City) and Technological Applications, Alexandria 21934, Egypt;
| | - Raafat T. M. Makhlof
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia; (R.T.M.M.); (M.A.A.)
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia 61511, Egypt
| | - Mohammad A. Alsaad
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia; (R.T.M.M.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Bayan H. Sajer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (F.A.-S.); (R.A.); (M.A.A.); (N.M.N.); (B.H.S.)
| | - Hazem S. Elshafie
- School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences (SAFE), University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
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Rodrigues DS, Cabral VP, Barbosa AD, Valente Sá LG, Silva CR, Moreira LE, Neto JB, Silva J, Santos HS, Marinho ES, Cavalcanti BC, Moraes MO, Nobre Júnior HV. Sertraline has fungicidal activity against Candida spp. and acts by inhibiting membrane and cell wall biosynthesis. Future Microbiol 2023; 18:1025-1039. [PMID: 37540066 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Our study evaluated the activity of sertraline (SER) alone and associated with antifungal drugs in planktonic Candida spp. strains, and investigated its mechanism of action. Materials & methods: Broth microdilution method and minimum fungicidal concentration/MIC ratio were used to assess SER anticandidal activity, and the interaction with antifungals was determined by fractional inhibitory concentration index. The mechanism of action was investigated by flow cytometry and in silico tests. Results: SER inhibited Candida spp. strains at low concentrations by the fungicidal effect and showed no loss of effectiveness when combined. Its action seemed to be related to the membrane and cell wall biosynthesis inhibition. Conclusion: SER has activity against Candida spp. isolated and associated with antifungals, and acts by causing cell wall and membrane damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Rodrigues
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Vitória Pf Cabral
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Amanda D Barbosa
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Lívia Ga Valente Sá
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
- Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Cecília R Silva
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Lara Ea Moreira
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Joao Ba Neto
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
- Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Jacilene Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Group of Theoretical Chemistry and Electrochemistry (GQTE), State University of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte, Ceará, 930-000, Brazil
| | - Hélcio S Santos
- Science and Technology Center, Chemistry Course, Vale do Acaraú State University, CE, 040-370, Sobral
| | - Emmanuel S Marinho
- Department of Chemistry, Group of Theoretical Chemistry and Electrochemistry (GQTE), State University of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte, Ceará, 930-000, Brazil
| | - Bruno C Cavalcanti
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Manoel O Moraes
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Hélio V Nobre Júnior
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
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13
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Liu Y, Wang Q, Yu S, Liu M, Han J, Sun B. Construction and Evaluation of Novel Dual-function Antifungal Inhibitors and Covalent Organic Framework Carriers Based on the Infection Microenvironment. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13838-13857. [PMID: 37752076 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
In this study, PD-L1 and CYP51 were selected as key dual-target enzymes, which play an important role in the process of fungal proliferation and immune suppression. A series of novel bifonazole dual-target compounds were designed through the method of fragment combination. Their chemical structure was synthesized, characterized, and evaluated. Among them, the compounds (10c-1, 14a-2, 17c-2) exhibited excellent antifungal and antidrug-resistant fungal activity in vitro. In particular, the preferred compound 14a-2 with high-efficiency dual-target inhibitor ability could block the fungal proliferation and activate the organism's immune efficacy. Moreover, the corresponding covalent organic framework carrier was also successfully constructed to improve its bioavailability. This significantly accelerated the body's recovery process from fungal infection in vivo. In summary, this study expanded the scientific frontier of antifungal drugs and provided a feasible candidate pathway for clinical treatment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Liu
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Qingpeng Wang
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Shuai Yu
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Min Liu
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Jun Han
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Bin Sun
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
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14
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Elgammal Y, Salama EA, Seleem MN. Saquinavir potentiates itraconazole's antifungal activity against multidrug-resistant Candida auris in vitro andin vivo. Med Mycol 2023; 61:myad081. [PMID: 37558393 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida species are highly opportunistic yeasts that are responsible for serious invasive fungal infections among immunocompromised patients worldwide. Due to the increase in drug resistance and incidence of infections, there is an urgent need to develop new antifungals and to identify co-drugs that can sensitize drug-resistant Candida to antifungals. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of saquinavir on the activity of azole antifungals against C. auris. The in vitro interaction of saquinavir and three azole antifungals (itraconazole, voriconazole, and fluconazole) was evaluated against a panel of C. auris isolates. The itraconazole/saquinavir combination exhibited a synergistic (SYN) relationship against all C. auris isolates tested with the fractional inhibitory concentration index ranging from 0.03 to 0.27. Moreover, a time-kill kinetics assay revealed that saquinavir restored the itraconazole's fungistatic activity against C. auris. Furthermore, saquinavir restored itraconazole's antifungal activity against other clinically important Candida species. The mechanistic investigation indicated that saquinavir significantly inhibited efflux pumps, glucose utilization, and ATP synthesis in Candida. Finally, a murine model of C. auris infection was used to evaluate the efficacy of the itraconazole/saquinavir combination in the presence of ritonavir (as a pharmacokinetic enhancer). The combination significantly reduced the fungal burden in the kidneys by 0.93-log10 colony-forming units (88%) compared to itraconazole alone. This study identified that saquinavir exhibits a potent SYN relationship in combination with itraconazole against Candida species, which warrants further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehia Elgammal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Ehab A Salama
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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15
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Zhang JY, Wang YT, Sun L, Wang SQ, Chen ZS. Synthesis and clinical application of new drugs approved by FDA in 2022. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:26. [PMID: 37661221 PMCID: PMC10475455 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00138-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The pharmaceutical industry had a glorious year in 2022, with a total of 37 new drugs including 20 new chemical entities (NCEs) and 17 new biological entities (NBEs) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These drugs are mainly concentrated in oncology, central nervous system, antiinfection, hematology, cardiomyopathy, dermatology, digestive system, ophthalmology, MRI enhancer and other therapeutic fields. Of the 37 drugs, 25 (68%) were approved through an expedited review pathway, and 19 (51%) were approved to treat rare diseases. These newly listed drugs have unique structures and new mechanisms of action, which can serve as lead compounds for designing new drugs with similar biological targets and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This review aims to outline the clinical applications and synthetic methods of 19 NCEs newly approved by the FDA in 2022, but excludes contrast agent (Xenon Xe-129). We believe that an in-depth understanding of the synthetic methods of drug molecules will provide innovative and practical inspiration for the development of new, more effective, and practical synthetic techniques. According to the therapeutic areas of these 2022 FDA-approved drugs, we have classified these 19 NCEs into seven categories and will introduce them in the order of their approval for marketing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yi Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou, 450044, China
| | - Ya-Tao Wang
- First People's Hospital of Shangqiu, Henan Province, Shangqiu, 476100, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China
| | - Lu Sun
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China.
- Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, China.
| | - Sai-Qi Wang
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China.
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
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16
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Hashem AH, Al-Askar AA, Saeb MR, Abd-Elsalam KA, El-Hawary AS, Hasanin MS. Sustainable biosynthesized bimetallic ZnO@SeO nanoparticles from pomegranate peel extracts: antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities. RSC Adv 2023; 13:22918-22927. [PMID: 37520090 PMCID: PMC10377119 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra03260d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustainable bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted particular attention in the past decade. However, the efficiency and environmental concerns are associated with their synthesis and properties optimization. We report herein biosynthesis of bimetallic ZnO@SeO NPs based on green and ecofriendly methods using pomegranate peel extract (PPE). Pyrochemical ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy as well as TEM and EDX supported successful synthesis. Antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities were indicative of biological worth of sustainable bimetallic ZnO@SeO NPs, exhibiting antibacterial activity compared to monometallic ZnO and SeO NPs. The values of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of bimetallic ZnO@SeO NPs toward E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis and S. aureus were 3.9, 15.62, 3.9 and 7.81 μg ml-1, respectively. Likewise, a promising antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and A. fumigatus was achieved (MICs: 31.25, 1.95, 15.62 and 15.62 μg ml-1, respectively). The cytotoxicity results suggest that bimetallic ZnO@SeO NPs are non-toxic and biomedically safe, evidenced by in vitro anticancer activity against human liver carcinoma (Hep-G2) cell line (with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) > 71 μg ml-1). The bimetallic ZnO@SeO NPs successfully biosynthesized using PPE showed a high potential for biomedical engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr H Hashem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Abdulaziz A Al-Askar
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, King Saud University P.O. Box 2455 Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Reza Saeb
- Department of Polymer Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology Narutowicza 11/12 Gdańsk Poland
| | - Kamel A Abd-Elsalam
- Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center Giza 12619 Egypt
| | - Ahmad S El-Hawary
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Mohamed S Hasanin
- Cellulose & Paper Department, National Research Centre El-Buhouth St. Dokki 12622 Egypt
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17
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Alves V, Martins PH, Miranda B, de Andrade IB, Pereira L, Maeda CT, de Sousa Araújo GR, Frases S. Assessing the In Vitro Potential of Glatiramer Acetate (Copaxone ®) as a Chemotherapeutic Candidate for the Treatment of Cryptococcus neoformans Infection. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:783. [PMID: 37623554 PMCID: PMC10455304 DOI: 10.3390/jof9080783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis affecting immunosuppressed individuals, caused by various Cryptococcus species. The current treatment utilizes a combination of antifungal drugs, but issues such as nephrotoxicity, restricted or limited availability in certain countries, and resistance limit their effectiveness. Repurposing approved drugs presents a viable strategy for developing new antifungal options. This study investigates the potential of glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®) as a chemotherapy candidate for Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Various techniques are employed to evaluate the effects of glatiramer acetate on the fungus, including microdilution, XTT analysis, electron and light microscopy, and physicochemical measurements. The results demonstrate that glatiramer acetate exhibits antifungal properties, with an IC50 of 0.470 mg/mL and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.5 mg/mL. Furthermore, it promotes enhanced cell aggregation, facilitates biofilm formation, and increases the secretion of fungal polysaccharides. These findings indicate that glatiramer acetate not only shows an antifungal effect but also modulates the key virulence factor-the polysaccharide capsule. In summary, repurposing glatiramer acetate as a potential chemotherapy option offers new prospects for combating C. neoformans infection. It addresses the limitations associated with current antifungal therapies by providing an alternative treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Alves
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (V.A.); (P.H.M.); (B.M.); (I.B.d.A.); (L.P.); (G.R.d.S.A.)
| | - Pedro Henrique Martins
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (V.A.); (P.H.M.); (B.M.); (I.B.d.A.); (L.P.); (G.R.d.S.A.)
| | - Bruna Miranda
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (V.A.); (P.H.M.); (B.M.); (I.B.d.A.); (L.P.); (G.R.d.S.A.)
| | - Iara Bastos de Andrade
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (V.A.); (P.H.M.); (B.M.); (I.B.d.A.); (L.P.); (G.R.d.S.A.)
| | - Luiza Pereira
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (V.A.); (P.H.M.); (B.M.); (I.B.d.A.); (L.P.); (G.R.d.S.A.)
| | - Christina Takiya Maeda
- Laboratório de Fisiopatologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil;
| | - Glauber Ribeiro de Sousa Araújo
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (V.A.); (P.H.M.); (B.M.); (I.B.d.A.); (L.P.); (G.R.d.S.A.)
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (V.A.); (P.H.M.); (B.M.); (I.B.d.A.); (L.P.); (G.R.d.S.A.)
- Rede Micologia RJ, FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
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18
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Efimova SS, Malykhina AI, Ostroumova OS. Triggering the Amphotericin B Pore-Forming Activity by Phytochemicals. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:670. [PMID: 37505036 PMCID: PMC10384262 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13070670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The macrolide polyene antibiotic amphotericin B (AmB), remains a valuable drug to treat systemic mycoses due to its wide antifungal activity and low probability of developing resistance. The high toxicity of AmB, expressed in nephropathy and hemolysis, could be partially resolved by lowering therapeutic AmB concentration while maintaining efficacy. This work discusses the possibility of using plant polyphenols and alkaloids to enhance the pore-forming and consequently antifungal activity of AmB. We demonstrated that phloretin, phlorizin, naringenin, taxifolin, quercetin, biochanin A, genistein, resveratrol, and quinine led to an increase in the integral AmB-induced transmembrane current in the bilayers composed of palmitoyloleoylphosphocholine and ergosterol, while catechin, colchicine, and dihydrocapsaicin did not practically change the AmB activity. Cardamonin, 4'-hydroxychalcone, licochalcone A, butein, curcumin, and piperine inhibited AmB-induced transmembrane current. Absorbance spectroscopy revealed no changes in AmB membrane concentration with phloretin addition. A possible explanation of the potentiation is related to the phytochemical-produced changes in the elastic membrane properties and the decrease in the energy of formation of the lipid mouth of AmB pores, which is partially confirmed by differential scanning microcalorimetry. The possibility of AmB interaction with cholesterol in the mammalian cell membranes instead of ergosterol in fungal membranes, determines its high toxicity. The replacement of ergosterol with cholesterol in the membrane lipid composition led to a complete loss or a significant decrease in the potentiating effects of tested phytochemicals, indicating low potential toxicity of these compounds and high therapeutic potential of their combinations with the antibiotic. The discovered combinations of AmB with plant molecules that enhance its pore-forming ability in ergosterol-enriched membranes, seem to be promising for further drug development in terms of the toxicity decrease and efficacy improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana S Efimova
- Laboratory of Membrane and Ion Channel Modeling, Institute of Cytology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky 4, 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna I Malykhina
- Laboratory of Membrane and Ion Channel Modeling, Institute of Cytology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky 4, 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Olga S Ostroumova
- Laboratory of Membrane and Ion Channel Modeling, Institute of Cytology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky 4, 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia
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19
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Ma Z, Wang X, Li C. Advances in anti-invasive fungal drug delivery systems. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2023; 52:318-327. [PMID: 37476943 PMCID: PMC10409907 DOI: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2023-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the first-line drugs for invasive fungal infections (IFI), such as amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole, have drawbacks including poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and severe side effects. Using drug delivery systems is a promising strategy to improve the efficacy and safety of traditional antifungal therapy. Synthetic and biomimetic carriers have greatly facilitated the development of targeted delivery systems for antifungal drugs. Synthetic carrier drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, nanoparticles, polymer micelles, and microspheres, can improve the physicochemical properties of antifungal drugs, prolong their circulation time, enhance targeting capabilities, and reduce toxic side effects. Cell membrane biomimetic drug delivery systems, such as macrophage or red blood cell membrane-coated drug delivery systems, retain the membrane structure of somatic cells and confer various biological functions and specific targeting abilities to the loaded antifungal drugs, exhibiting better biocompatibility and lower toxicity. This article reviews the development of antifungal drug delivery systems and their application in the treatment of IFI, and also discusses the prospects of novel biomimetic carriers in antifungal drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyi Ma
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Xinyu Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Chong Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
- Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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20
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Hashem AH, Al-Askar AA, Haponiuk J, Abd-Elsalam KA, Hasanin MS. Biosynthesis, Characterization, and Antifungal Activity of Novel Trimetallic Copper Oxide-Selenium-Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles against Some Mucorales Fungi. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1380. [PMID: 37374882 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metal nanoparticles are assumed to be a new generation of biologically active materials. The integrations between more than one metal are synergetic multifunctional features. In the current study, trimetallic copper-selenium-zinc oxide nanoparticles (Tri-CSZ NPs) were successfully mycosynthesized using Aspergillus niger through an ecofriendly method for the first time. The biosynthesis of the particles was characterized using physiochemical and topographical analysis. The physiochemical analysis included Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which affirmed that the biosynthesis of Tri-CSZ NPs relies on the functional groups of fungal filtrates. Additionally, the UV-visible and X-ray diffraction patterns were proposed for the formation of Tri-CSZ NPs; moreover, topography analysis confirmed that the micromorphology of the nanoparticles were similar to a stick, with ends having a tetragonal pyramid shape, and with an average nanosize of about 26.3 ± 5.4 nm. Cytotoxicity results reveled that the Tri-CSZ NPs have no cytotoxicity on the human normal cell line Wi 38 at low concentrations, where the IC50 was 521 µg/mL. Furthermore, the antifungal activity of the Tri-CSZ NPs was evaluated. The antifungal results revealed that the Tri-CSZ NPs have promising antifungal activity against Mucor racemosus, Rhizopus microsporus, Lichtheimia corymbifera, and Syncephalastrum racemosum, where the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were 1.95, 7.81, 62.5, and 3.9 µg/mL, and the minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were 250, 62.5, 125, and 1000 µg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, Tri-CSZ NPs were successfully mycosynthesized using A. niger, which have a promising antifungal activity against fungi causing mucormycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr H Hashem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Abdulaziz A Al-Askar
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Józef Haponiuk
- Department of Polymer Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Kamel A Abd-Elsalam
- Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza 12619, Egypt
| | - Mohamed S Hasanin
- Cellulose and Paper Department, National Research Centre, El-Buhouth Street, Dokki 12622, Egypt
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21
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Xie F, Hao Y, Li L, Wang R, Bao J, Chi X, Monk BC, Wang T, Yu S, Jin Y, Zhang D, Ni T, Yan L. Novel antifungal triazoles with alkynyl-methoxyl side chains: Design, synthesis, and biological activity evaluation. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115506. [PMID: 37216811 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Previous work led to the rational design, synthesis and testing of novel antifungal triazole analogues bearing alkynyl-methoxyl side chains. Tests of in vitro antifungal activity showed Candida albicans SC5314 and Candida glabrata 537 gave MIC values of ≤0.125 μg/mL for most of the compounds. Among these, compounds 16, 18, and 29 displayed broad-spectrum antifungal activity against seven human pathogenic fungal species, two fluconazole-resistant C. albicans isolates and two multi-drug resistant Candida auris isolates. Moreover, 0.5 μg/mL of 16, 18, and 29 was more effective than 2 μg/mL of fluconazole at inhibiting fungal growth of the strains tested. The most active compound (16) completely inhibited the growth of C. albicans SC5314 at 16 μg/mL for 24 h, affected biofilm formation and destroyed the mature biofilm at 64 μg/mL. Several Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, overexpressing recombinant Cyp51s or drug efflux pumps, indicated 16, 18, and 29 targeted Cyp51 without being significantly affected by a common active site mutation, but were susceptible to target overexpression and efflux by both MFS and ABC transporters. GC-MS analysis demonstrated that 16, 18, and 29 interfered with the C. albicans ergosterol biosynthesis pathway by inhibition at Cyp51. Molecular docking studies elucidated the binding modes of 18 with Cyp51. The compounds showed low cytotoxicity, low hemolytic activity and favorable ADMT properties. Importantly, compound 16 showed potent in vivo antifungal efficacy in the G. mellonella infection model. Taken together, this study presents more effective, broad-spectrum, low toxicity triazole analogues that can contribute to the development of novel antifungal agents and help overcome antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xie
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yumeng Hao
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Liping Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Ruina Wang
- Center of New Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Junhe Bao
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xiaochen Chi
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Brian C Monk
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Shichong Yu
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yongsheng Jin
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Dazhi Zhang
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Tingjunhong Ni
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Lan Yan
- Center of New Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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22
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Rabaan AA, Sulaiman T, Al-Ahmed SH, Buhaliqah ZA, Buhaliqah AA, AlYuosof B, Alfaresi M, Al Fares MA, Alwarthan S, Alkathlan MS, Almaghrabi RS, Abuzaid AA, Altowaileb JA, Al Ibrahim M, AlSalman EM, Alsalman F, Alghounaim M, Bueid AS, Al-Omari A, Mohapatra RK. Potential Strategies to Control the Risk of Antifungal Resistance in Humans: A Comprehensive Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12030608. [PMID: 36978475 PMCID: PMC10045400 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12030608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are becoming one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in people with weakened immune systems. Mycoses are becoming more common, despite greater knowledge and better treatment methods, due to the regular emergence of resistance to the antifungal medications used in clinical settings. Antifungal therapy is the mainstay of patient management for acute and chronic mycoses. However, the limited availability of antifungal drug classes limits the range of available treatments. Additionally, several drawbacks to treating mycoses include unfavourable side effects, a limited activity spectrum, a paucity of targets, and fungal resistance, all of which continue to be significant issues in developing antifungal drugs. The emergence of antifungal drug resistance has eliminated accessible drug classes as treatment choices, which significantly compromises the clinical management of fungal illnesses. In some situations, the emergence of strains resistant to many antifungal medications is a major concern. Although new medications have been developed to address this issue, antifungal drug resistance has grown more pronounced, particularly in patients who need long-term care or are undergoing antifungal prophylaxis. Moreover, the mechanisms that cause resistance must be well understood, including modifications in drug target affinities and abundances, along with biofilms and efflux pumps that diminish intracellular drug levels, to find novel antifungal drugs and drug targets. In this review, different classes of antifungal agents, and their resistance mechanisms, have been discussed. The latter part of the review focuses on the strategies by which we can overcome this serious issue of antifungal resistance in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Tarek Sulaiman
- Infectious Diseases Section, Medical Specialties Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh 12231, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shamsah H Al-Ahmed
- Specialty Paediatric Medicine, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif 32654, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zainab A Buhaliqah
- Department of Family Medicine, Primary Healthcare Center, Dammam 32433, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali A Buhaliqah
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Buthina AlYuosof
- Directorate of Public Health, Dammam Network, Eastern Health Cluster, Dammam 31444, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mubarak Alfaresi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi 3740, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai 505055, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mona A Al Fares
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sara Alwarthan
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed S Alkathlan
- Infectious Diseases Department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraydah 52382, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem S Almaghrabi
- Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmonem A Abuzaid
- Medical Microbiology Department, Security Forces Hospital Programme, Dammam 32314, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jaffar A Altowaileb
- Microbiology Laboratory, Laboratory Department, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif 32654, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha Al Ibrahim
- Microbiology Laboratory, Laboratory Department, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif 32654, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman M AlSalman
- Department of Family Medicine, Primary Health Care Centers, Qatif Health Network, Qatif 31911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatimah Alsalman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oyun City Hospital, Al-Ahsa 36312, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ahmed S Bueid
- Microbiology Laboratory, King Faisal General Hospital, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Awad Al-Omari
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Riyadh 11372, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ranjan K Mohapatra
- Department of Chemistry, Government College of Engineering, Keonjhar 758002, India
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23
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Lin CJ, Yang SY, Hsu LH, Yu SJ, Chen YL. The Gcn5-Ada2-Ada3 histone acetyltransferase module has divergent roles in pathogenesis of Candida glabrata. Med Mycol 2023; 61:myad004. [PMID: 36715154 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad004] [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: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata is an opportunistic fungal pathogen and the second most prevalent species isolated from candidiasis patients. C. glabrata has intrinsic tolerance to antifungal drugs and oxidative stresses and the ability to adhere to mucocutaneous surfaces. However, knowledge about the regulation of its virulence traits is limited. The Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex modulates gene transcription by histone acetylation through the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) module comprised of Gcn5-Ada2-Ada3. Previously, we showed that the ada2 mutant was hypervirulent but displayed decreased tolerance to antifungal drugs and cell wall perturbing agents. In this study, we further characterized the functions of Ada3 and Gcn5 in C. glabrata. We found that single, double, or triple deletions of the HAT module, as expected, resulted in a decreased level of acetylation on histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) and defective growth. These mutants were more susceptible to antifungal drugs, oxidative stresses, and cell wall perturbing agents compared with the wild-type. In addition, HAT module mutants exhibited enhanced agar invasion and upregulation of adhesin and proteases encoding genes, whereas the biofilm formation of those mutants was impaired. Interestingly, HAT module mutants exhibited enhanced induction of catalases (CTA1) expression upon treatment with H2O2 compared with the wild-type. Lastly, although ada3 and gcn5 exhibited marginal hypervirulence, the HAT double and triple mutants were hypervirulent in a murine model of candidiasis. In conclusion, the HAT module of the SAGA complex plays unique roles in H3K9 acetylation, drug tolerance, oxidative stress response, adherence, and virulence in C. glabrata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Jan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, 40227 Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, 10617 Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yung Yang
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, 10617 Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Hang Hsu
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, 10617 Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Jie Yu
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, 10617 Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Lien Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, 10617 Taipei, Taiwan
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24
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Alves V, Araújo GR, Frases S. Off-label treatments as potential accelerators in the search for the ideal antifungal treatment of cryptococcosis. Future Microbiol 2023; 18:127-135. [PMID: 36688321 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic mycosis that mainly affects immunosuppressed patients. The treatment is a combination of three antifungal agents: amphotericin B, 5-flucytosine and fluconazole. However, these drugs have many disadvantages, such as high nephrotoxicity, marketing bans in some countries and fungal resistance. One of the solutions to find possible new drugs is pharmacological repositioning. This work presents repositioned drugs as an alternative for new antifungal therapies for cryptococcosis. All the studies here were performed in vitro or in animal models, except for sertraline, which reached phase III in humans. There is still no pharmacological repositioning approval for cryptococcosis in humans, though this review shows the potential of repurposing as a rapid approach to finding new agents to treat cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Alves
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941902, Brazil
| | - Glauber Rs Araújo
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941902, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941902, Brazil
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25
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Andriani GM, Spoladori LFDA, Fabris M, Camargo PG, Pereira PML, Santos JP, Bartolomeu-Gonçalves G, Alonso L, Lancheros CAC, Alonso A, Nakamura CV, Macedo F, Pinge-Filho P, Yamauchi LM, Bispo MDLF, Tavares ER, Yamada-Ogatta SF. Synergistic antifungal interaction of N-(butylcarbamothioyl) benzamide and amphotericin B against Cryptococcus neoformans. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1040671. [PMID: 36960287 PMCID: PMC10028264 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1040671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cryptococcus neoformans is one of the leading causes of invasive fungal infections worldwide. Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is the main challenge of antifungal therapy due to high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This can be partly attributed to the lack of specific diagnosis difficulty accessing treatment, antifungal resistance and antifungal toxicity. Methods In the present study, the effect of the synthetic thiourea derivative N-(butylcarbamothioyl) benzamide (BTU-01), alone and combined with amphotericin B (AmB), was evaluated in planktonic and sessile (biofilm) cells of C. neoformans. Results BTU-01 alone exhibited a fungistatic activity with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 31.25 to 62.5 μg/mL for planktonic cells; and sessile MICs ranging from 125.0 to 1000.0 μg/mL. BTU-01 caused a concentration-dependent inhibitory activity on cryptococcal urease and did not interfere with plasma membrane fluidity. Molecular docking was performed on Canavalia ensiformis urease, and BTU-01 showed relevant interactions with the enzyme. The combination of BTU-01 and AmB exhibited synergistic fungicidal activity against planktonic and sessile cells of C. neoformans. Microscopic analysis of C. neoformans treated with BTU-01, alone or combined with AmB, revealed a reduction in cell and capsule sizes, changes in the morphology of planktonic cells; a significant decrease in the number of cells within the biofilm; and absence of exopolymeric matrix surrounding the sessile cells. Neither hemolytic activity nor cytotoxicity to mammalian cells was detected for BTU-01, alone or combined with AmB, at concentrations that exhibited antifungal activity. BTU-01 also displayed drug-likeness properties. Conclusion These results indicate the potential of BTU-01, for the development of new strategies for controlling C. neoformans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Maria Andriani
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Lais Fernanda de Almeida Spoladori
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marciéli Fabris
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Priscila Goes Camargo
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Morais Lopes Pereira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Jussevania Pereira Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Bartolomeu-Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia Clínica e Laboratorial, Departamento de Patología, Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Lais Alonso
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Cesar Armando Contreras Lancheros
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Antonio Alonso
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Fernando Macedo
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Phileno Pinge-Filho
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Lucy Megumi Yamauchi
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marcelle de Lima Ferreira Bispo
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Eliandro Reis Tavares
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia Clínica e Laboratorial, Departamento de Patología, Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta,
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26
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A Current Overview of Cyclodextrin-Based Nanocarriers for Enhanced Antifungal Delivery. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121447. [PMID: 36558897 PMCID: PMC9785708 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are an extremely serious health problem, particularly in patients with compromised immune systems. Most antifungal agents have low aqueous solubility, which may hamper their bioavailability. Their complexation with cyclodextrins (CDs) could increase the solubility of antifungals, facilitating their antifungal efficacy. Nanoparticulate systems are promising carriers for antifungal delivery due to their ability to overcome the drawbacks of conventional dosage forms. CD-based nanocarriers could form beneficial combinations of CDs and nanoparticulate platforms. These systems have synergistic or additive effects regarding improved drug loading, enhanced chemical stability, and enhanced drug permeation through membranes, thereby increasing the bioavailability of drugs. Here, an application of CD in antifungal drug formulations is reviewed. CD-based nanocarriers, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, nanofibers, and in situ gels, enhancing antifungal activity in a controlled-release manner and possessing good toxicological profiles, are described. Additionally, the examples of current, updated CD-based nanocarriers loaded with antifungal drugs for delivery by various routes of administration are discussed and summarized.
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27
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Rosemary essential oil and its components 1,8-cineole and α-pinene induce ROS-dependent lethality and ROS-independent virulence inhibition in Candida albicans. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277097. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The essential oil from Rosmarinus officinalis L., a composite mixture of plant-derived secondary metabolites, exhibits antifungal activity against virulent candidal species. Here we report the impact of rosemary oil and two of its components, the monoterpene α-pinene and the monoterpenoid 1,8-cineole, against Candida albicans, which induce ROS-dependent cell death at high concentrations and inhibit hyphal morphogenesis and biofilm formation at lower concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (100% inhibition) for both rosemary oil and 1,8-cineole were 4500 μg/ml and 3125 μg/ml for α-pinene, with the two components exhibiting partial synergy (FICI = 0.55 ± 0.07). At MIC and 1/2 MIC, rosemary oil and its components induced a generalized cell wall stress response, causing damage to cellular and organelle membranes, along with elevated chitin production and increased cell surface adhesion and elasticity, leading to complete vacuolar segregation, mitochondrial depolarization, elevated reactive oxygen species, microtubule dysfunction, and cell cycle arrest mainly at the G1/S phase, consequently triggering cell death. Interestingly, the same oils at lower fractional MIC (1/8-1/4) inhibited virulence traits, including reduction of mycelium (up to 2-fold) and biofilm (up to 4-fold) formation, through a ROS-independent mechanism.
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28
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Treviño-Rangel RDJ, González GM, Montoya AM, Rojas OC, Elizondo-Zertuche M, Álvarez-Villalobos NA. Recent Antifungal Pipeline Developments against Candida auris: A Systematic Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:1144. [PMID: 36354911 PMCID: PMC9695453 DOI: 10.3390/jof8111144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The alarming spread and impact of multidrug-resistant Candida auris infections alongside the limited therapeutic options have prompted the development of new antifungals. These promising agents are currently in different stages of development, offering novel dosing regimens and mechanisms of action. A systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus up to 27 June 2022 was conducted to find relevant articles reporting data of in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of investigational antifungals against C. auris. These included new additions to existing antifungal classes (rezafungin and opelconazole), first-in-class drugs such as ibrexafungerp, manogepix/fosmanogepix, olorofim and tetrazoles (quilseconazole, oteseconazole and VT-1598), as well as other innovative agents like ATI-2307, MGCD290 and VL-2397. From 592 articles retrieved in the primary search, 27 met the eligibility criteria. The most studied agent was manogepix/fosmanogepix (overall MIC90: 0.03 mg/L), followed by ibrexafungerp (overall MIC90: 1 mg/L) and rezafungin (overall MIC mode: 0.25 mg/L), while VT-1598 and ATI-2307 were the least explored drugs against C. auris. All these compounds demonstrated significant improvements in survival and reduction in tissue fungal burden on neutropenic animal models of candidemia due to C. auris. Continual efforts towards the discovery of new treatments against this multidrug-resistant fungus are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogelio de J. Treviño-Rangel
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León-Francisco I. Madero & Dr. Eduardo A. Pequeño, Mitras Centro, Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Gloria M. González
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León-Francisco I. Madero & Dr. Eduardo A. Pequeño, Mitras Centro, Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Alexandra M. Montoya
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León-Francisco I. Madero & Dr. Eduardo A. Pequeño, Mitras Centro, Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Olga C. Rojas
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León-Francisco I. Madero & Dr. Eduardo A. Pequeño, Mitras Centro, Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Mariana Elizondo-Zertuche
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León-Francisco I. Madero & Dr. Eduardo A. Pequeño, Mitras Centro, Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Neri A. Álvarez-Villalobos
- Plataforma INVEST Medicina UANL-KER Unit Mayo Clinic (KER Unit Mexico), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León-Francisco I. Madero, Mitras Centro, Monterrey 64460, Mexico
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Development and application of amphotericin B immunoassay for pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring in critically ill patients. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 218:114875. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Salem SS, Hashem AH, Sallam AAM, Doghish AS, Al-Askar AA, Arishi AA, Shehabeldine AM. Synthesis of Silver Nanocomposite Based on Carboxymethyl Cellulose: Antibacterial, Antifungal and Anticancer Activities. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14163352. [PMID: 36015608 PMCID: PMC9412901 DOI: 10.3390/polym14163352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional cancer treatments include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. According to medical sources, chemotherapy is still the primary method for curing or treating cancer today and has been a major contributor to the recent decline in cancer mortality. Nanocomposites based on polymers and metal nanoparticles have recently received the attention of researchers. In the current study, a nanocomposite was fabricated based on carboxymethyl cellulose and silver nanoparticles (CMC-AgNPs) and their antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities were evaluated. The antibacterial results revealed that CMC-AgNPs have promising antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (Klebsiella oxytoca and Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus). Moreover, CMC-AgNPs exhibited antifungal activity against filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, and A. terreus. Concerning the HepG2 hepatocellular cancer cell line, the lowest IC50 values (7.9 ± 0.41 µg/mL) were recorded for CMC-AgNPs, suggesting a strong cytotoxic effect on liver cancer cells. As a result, our findings suggest that the antitumor effect of these CMC-Ag nanoparticles is due to the induction of apoptosis and necrosis in hepatic cancer cells via increased caspase-8 and -9 activities and diminished levels of VEGFR-2. In conclusion, CMC-AgNPs exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities, which can be used in the pharmaceutical and medical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salem S. Salem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11884, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amr H. Hashem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11884, Cairo, Egypt
- Correspondence: (A.H.H.); (A.S.D.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Al-Aliaa M. Sallam
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain-Shams University, Abassia, Cairo 11566, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S. Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City 11829, Cairo, Egypt
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
- Correspondence: (A.H.H.); (A.S.D.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Abdulaziz A. Al-Askar
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amr A. Arishi
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Amr M. Shehabeldine
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11884, Cairo, Egypt
- Correspondence: (A.H.H.); (A.S.D.); (A.M.S.)
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31
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Xie Y, Zhou X, Zhang J, Yu H, Song Z. Immunomodulatory responses of differentially polarized macrophages to fungal infections. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 111:109089. [PMID: 35964406 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Macrophages, the first line of defense against invasive fungi in the innate immune system, are widely distributed in the blood and tissues of the body. In response to various internal and external stimulators, macrophages can polarize into classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2). These two types of polarized macrophages play different roles in antifungal activity and in maintaining the steady-state balance between inflammation and tissue repair. However, the antifungal mechanisms of M1- and M2-type macrophages have not been fully described. In this review, the immune regulatory mechanisms against pathogenic fungi of these two classical types of macrophages in various tissues are summarized. The effects of antifungal factors on macrophage differentiation are also highlighted. The description of these data, on the one hand provides valuable insight for future investigations and also highlights new strategies for the treatment of pathogenic fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China.
| | - Xue Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China.
| | - Jinping Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China; The Public Platform of Molecular Biotechnology, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hong Yu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China; The Public Platform of Cell Biotechnology, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China.
| | - Zhangyong Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, PR China; The Public Platform of Molecular Biotechnology, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, People's Republic of China.
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32
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Unveiling Antimicrobial and Insecticidal Activities of Biosynthesized Selenium Nanoparticles Using Prickly Pear Peel Waste. J Funct Biomater 2022; 13:jfb13030112. [PMID: 35997450 PMCID: PMC9397004 DOI: 10.3390/jfb13030112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In the current study, prickly pear peel waste (PPPW) extract was used for the biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles through a green and eco-friendly method for the first time. The biosynthesized SeNPs were characterized using UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, TEM, SEM, EDX, and mapping. Characterization results revealed that biosynthesized SeNPs were spherical, polydisperse, highly crystalline, and had sizes in the range of 10–87.4 nm. Antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal activities of biosynthesized SeNPs were evaluated. Results revealed that SeNPs exhibited promising antibacterial against Gram negative (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) and Gram positive (B. subtilis and S. aureus) bacteria where MICs were 125, 125, 62.5, and 15.62 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, SeNPs showed potential antifungal activity toward Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans where MICs were 3.9 and 7.81 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, tested crud extract and SeNPs severely induced larvicidal activity for tested mosquitoes with LC50 and LC90 of 219.841, 950.087 mg/L and 75.411, 208.289 mg/L, respectively. The fecundity and hatchability of C. pipiens mosquito were significantly decreased as applied concentrations increased either for the crude or the fabricated SeNPs extracts. In conclusion, the biosynthesized SeNPs using prickly pear peel waste have antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal activities, which can be used in biomedical and environmental applications.
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Roseboom IC, Thijssen B, Rosing H, Alves F, Sundar S, Beijnen JH, Dorlo TP. Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of the antiparasitic and antifungal drug amphotericin B in human skin tissue. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2022; 1206:123354. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2022.123354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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A Fun-Guide to Innate Immune Responses to Fungal Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080805. [PMID: 36012793 PMCID: PMC9409918 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunocompromised individuals are at high risk of developing severe fungal infections with high mortality rates, while fungal pathogens pose little risk to most healthy people. Poor therapeutic outcomes and growing antifungal resistance pose further challenges for treatments. Identifying specific immunomodulatory mechanisms exploited by fungal pathogens is critical for our understanding of fungal diseases and development of new therapies. A gap currently exists between the large body of literature concerning the innate immune response to fungal infections and the potential manipulation of host immune responses to aid clearance of infection. This review considers the innate immune mechanisms the host deploys to prevent fungal infection and how these mechanisms fail in immunocompromised hosts. Three clinically relevant fungal pathogens (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus spp. and Aspergillus spp.) will be explored. This review will also examine potential mechanisms of targeting the host therapeutically to improve outcomes of fungal infection.
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35
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Mosallam S, Albash R, Abdelbari MA. Advanced Vesicular Systems for Antifungal Drug Delivery. AAPS PharmSciTech 2022; 23:206. [PMID: 35896903 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-022-02357-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are considered one of the most serious conditions as their occurrence has increased lately. Fungi like Candida, Fusarium, and Aspergillus species mostly affect immunocompromised patients as they are considered opportunistic pathogens. These infections can be superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous, or systemic fungal infections that require specific treatment. There is a wide variety of antifungal drugs that can be used to cure fungal infections; however, most of them have many systemic side effects due to their physicochemical characteristics and high toxicity profile. Hence, the current review focuses on various advanced vesicular carriers with high biocompatibility that can encapsulate the antifungal drugs owing to increase their efficacy and limit the undesirable side effects. These advanced systems can manage stability, solubility, bioavailability, safety, and effectiveness issues present in conventional systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa Mosallam
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 University, Giza, 12585, Egypt.
| | - Rofida Albash
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Manar Adel Abdelbari
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 University, Giza, 12585, Egypt
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36
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Jampilek J. Novel avenues for identification of new antifungal drugs and current challenges. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:949-968. [PMID: 35787715 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2097659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Some of otherwise useful fungi are pathogenic to humans, and unfortunately, the number of these pathogens is increasing. In addition to common skin infections, these opportunistic pathogens are able to cause severe, often incurable, systemic mycoses. AREAS COVERED : The number of antifungal drugs is limited, especially drugs that can be used for systemic administration, and resistance to these drugs is very common. This review summarizes various approaches to the discovery and development of new antifungal drugs, provides an overview of the most important molecules in terms of basic (laboratory) research and compounds currently in clinical trials, and focuses on drug repurposing strategy, while providing an overview of drugs of other indications that have been tested in vitro for their antifungal activity for possible expansion of antifungal drugs and/or support of existing antimycotics. EXPERT OPINION : Despite the limitations of the research of new antifungal drugs by pharmaceutical manufacturers, in addition to innovated molecules based on clinically used drugs, several completely new small entities with unique mechanisms of actions have been identified. The identification of new molecular targets that offer alternatives for the development of new unique selective antifungal highly effective agents has been an important outcome of repurposing of non-antifungal drugs to antifungal drug. Also, given the advances in monoclonal antibodies and their application to immunosuppressed patients, it may seem possible to predict a more optimistic future for antifungal therapy than has been the case in recent decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Jampilek
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
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37
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Santoso P, Komada T, Ishimine Y, Taniguchi H, Minamihata K, Goto M, Taira T, Kamiya N. Preparation of amphotericin B-loaded hybrid liposomes and the integration of chitin-binding proteins for enhanced antifungal activity. J Biosci Bioeng 2022; 134:259-263. [PMID: 35781189 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AMB) is a gold standard antifungal drug because of its broad-spectrum activity toward pathogenic yeasts and molds. Because of its low solubility in water and toxicity toward humans, several lipid-based formulations that either increase the aqueous solubility or decrease the side effects have been employed in practical use. In our previous research, we found that the combination of AMB with an artificial palmitoylated chitin-binding domain from Pteris ryukyuensis chitinase (LysM-Pal) resulted in synergistic antifungal action against Trichoderma viride. Herein, we prepared hybrid liposomal formulations by combining a commercially available AMB formulation and liposomes with different surface charges to explore key factors in the antifungal activity. The characterization of AMB-loaded liposomal formulations (AMB-LFs), including particle size distribution and zeta potential, showed that anionic and neutral AMB-LFs could stably encapsulate AMB. The combination of either anionic or neutral AMB-LFs with unmodified LysM decreased the minimum inhibitory concentration of AMB. The combination of neutral AMB-LF with LysM-Pal resulted in a further decrease in the MIC, up to 15-fold compared with that of the neutral AMB-LF alone. Our results demonstrate the potential utility of lipid-based liposomal formulations of AMB combined with lipid-modified proteinaceous binders to tackle fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pugoh Santoso
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Takuya Komada
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yugo Ishimine
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Taniguchi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Kosuke Minamihata
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Masahiro Goto
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Toki Taira
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Noriho Kamiya
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; Division of Biotechnology, Center for Future Chemistry, Kyushu University, 744 Mootoka, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
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Zuzarte M, Salgueiro L. Essential Oils in Respiratory Mycosis: A Review. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27134140. [PMID: 35807386 PMCID: PMC9268412 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory mycosis is a major health concern, due to the expanding population of immunosuppressed and immunocompromised patients and the increasing resistance to conventional antifungals and their undesired side-effects, thus justifying the development of new therapeutic strategies. Plant metabolites, namely essential oils, represent promising preventive/therapeutic strategies due to their widely reported antifungal potential. However, regarding fungal infections of the respiratory tract, information is disperse and no updated compilation on current knowledge is available. Therefore, the present review aims to gather and systematize relevant information on the antifungal effects of several essential oils and volatile compounds against the main type of respiratory mycosis that impact health care systems. Particular attention is paid to Aspergillus fumigatus, the main pathogen involved in aspergillosis, Candida auris, currently emerging as a major pathogen in certain parts of the world, and Cryptococcus neoformans, one of the main pathogens involved in pulmonary cryptococcosis. Furthermore, the main mechanisms of action underlying essential oils’ antifungal effects and current limitations in clinical translation are presented. Overall, essential oils rich in phenolic compounds seem to be very effective but clinical translation requires more comprehensive in vivo studies and human trials to assess the efficacy and tolerability of these compounds in respiratory mycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Zuzarte
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Lígia Salgueiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Chemical Process Engineering and Forest Products Research Centre (CIEPQPF), University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
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Synthesis of Chitosan-Based Gold Nanoparticles: Antimicrobial and Wound-Healing Activities. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14112293. [PMID: 35683965 PMCID: PMC9182795 DOI: 10.3390/polym14112293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The global spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria has become a significant hazard to public health, and more effective antibacterial agents are required. Therefore, this study describes the preparation, characterization, and evaluation of gold nanoparticles modified with chitosan (Chi/AuNPs) as a reducing and stabilizing agent with efficient antimicrobial effects. In recent years, the development of an efficient and ecofriendly method for synthesizing metal nanoparticles has attracted a lot of interest in the field of nanotechnology. Colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared by the chemical reduction of gold ions in the presence of chitosan (Chi), giving Chi/AuNPs. The characterization of Chi/AuNPs was carried out by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Chi/AuNPs appeared spherical and monodispersed, with a diameter ranging between 20 to 120 nm. The synergistic effects of AuNPs and Chi led to the disruption of bacterial membranes. The maximum inhibitory impact was seen against P. aeruginosa at 500 µg/mL, with a zone of inhibition diameter of 26 ± 1.8 mm, whereas the least inhibitory effect was reported for S. aureus, with a zone of inhibition diameter of 16 ± 2.1 mm at the highest dose tested. Moreover, Chi/AuNPs exhibited antifungal activity toward Candida albicans when the MIC was 62.5 µg/mL. Cell viability and proliferation of the developed nanocomposite were evaluated using a sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay with a half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 111.1 µg/mL. Moreover, the in vitro wound-healing model revealed that the Chi/AuNP dressing provides a relatively rapid and efficacious wound-healing ability, making the obtained nanocomposite a promising candidate for the development of improved bandage materials.
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40
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Evaluation of the Anti-Histoplasma capsulatum Activity of Indole and Nitrofuran Derivatives and Their Pharmacological Safety in Three-Dimensional Cell Cultures. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14051043. [PMID: 35631629 PMCID: PMC9147190 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14051043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Histoplasma capsulatum is a fungus that causes histoplasmosis. The increased evolution of microbial resistance and the adverse effects of current antifungals help new drugs to emerge. In this work, fifty-four nitrofurans and indoles were tested against the H. capsulatum EH-315 strain. Compounds with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) equal to or lower than 7.81 µg/mL were selected to evaluate their MIC90 on ATCC G217-B strain and their minimum fungicide concentration (MFC) on both strains. The quantification of membrane ergosterol, cell wall integrity, the production of reactive oxygen species, and the induction of death by necrosis–apoptosis was performed to investigate the mechanism of action of compounds 7, 11, and 32. These compounds could reduce the extracted sterol and induce necrotic cell death, similarly to itraconazole. Moreover, 7 and 11 damaged the cell wall, causing flaws in the contour (11), or changing the size and shape of the fungal cell wall (7). Furthermore, 7 and 32 induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation higher than 11 and control. Finally, the cytotoxicity was measured in two models of cell culture, i.e., monolayers (cells are flat) and a three-dimensional (3D) model, where they present a spheroidal conformation. Cytotoxicity assays in the 3D model showed a lower toxicity in the compounds than those performed on cell monolayers. Overall, these results suggest that derivatives of nitrofurans and indoles are promising compounds for the treatment of histoplasmosis.
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Yu Y, Chen P, Gao M, Lan W, Sun S, Ma Z, Sultani R, Cui Y, Umar MN, Khan SW, Cai X, Liang Z, Tan H. Amphotericin B Tamed by Salicylic Acid. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:14690-14696. [PMID: 35557655 PMCID: PMC9088917 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c07201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although Amphotericin B (AmB) is considered as the "gold standard" treatment for deep fungal infections, owing to its excellent antifungal effect, it often causes severe hemolytic toxicity and nephrotoxicity, which limits its clinical use. We designed and synthesized AmB derivatives by attaching salicylic acid (SA) to the carboxyl group and confirmed their structures using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HR-MS, and IR. We evaluated its biological activity in vitro and measured its ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectrum. The AmB-SA conjugates exhibited good antifungal effects against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Cryptococcus neoformans compared with AmB, and the renal cytotoxicity toward HEK 293T cells in vitro was significantly reduced, with almost no nephrotoxicity in the therapeutic window of the drug. At the same time, the hemolytic toxicity was significantly reduced. Therefore, modification of AmB by introducing SA is an effective strategy to maintain the broad antifungal activity of AmB and reduce its cytotoxicity. These AmB derivatives could be applied in clinical therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuming Yu
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
- Department
of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital
of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518026, China
| | - Peng Chen
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Ming Gao
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Wei Lan
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Shijun Sun
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Ziwei Ma
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Rome Sultani
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Yincang Cui
- Physics and
Chemistry Detect Center, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang P. R. China
| | - Muhammad Naveed Umar
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Dir (L), Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa 18800, Pakistan
| | - Sher Wali Khan
- Department
of Chemistry, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University
Sheringal, Dir (U), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 18800, Pakistan
| | - Xiaodong Cai
- Department
of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital
of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518026, China
| | - Zhenjiang Liang
- Pneumology
Department, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518026, China
| | - Hui Tan
- Pneumology
Department, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518026, China
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Oliveira-Brito PKM, de Campos GY, Guimarães JG, Serafim da Costa L, Silva de Moura E, Lazo-Chica JE, Roque-Barreira MC, da Silva TA. Adjuvant Curdlan Contributes to Immunization against Cryptococcus gattii Infection in a Mouse Strain-Specific Manner. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10040620. [PMID: 35455369 PMCID: PMC9030172 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10040620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The low efficacy and side effects associated with antifungal agents have highlighted the importance of developing immunotherapeutic approaches to treat Cryptococcus gattii infection. We developed an immunization strategy that uses selective Dectin-1 agonist as an adjuvant. BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice received curdlan or β-glucan peptide (BGP) before immunization with heat-killed C. gattii, and the mice were infected with viable C. gattii on day 14 post immunization and euthanized 14 days after infection. Adjuvant curdlan restored pulmonary tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) levels, as induced by immunization with heat-killed C. gattii. The average area and relative frequency of C. gattii titan cells in the lungs of curdlan-treated BALB/c mice were reduced. However, this did not reduce the pulmonary fungal burden or decrease the i0,nflammatory infiltrate in the pulmonary parenchyma of BALB/c mice. Conversely, adjuvant curdlan induced high levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-10 and decreased the C. gattii burden in the lungs of C57BL/6 mice, which was not replicated in β-glucan peptide-treated mice. The adjuvant curdlan favors the control of C. gattii infection depending on the immune response profile of the mouse strain. This study will have implications for developing new immunotherapeutic approaches to treat C. gattii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Kellen Martins Oliveira-Brito
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
| | - Gabriela Yamazaki de Campos
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
| | - Júlia Garcia Guimarães
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
| | - Letícia Serafim da Costa
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, SP, Brazil;
| | - Edanielle Silva de Moura
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
| | - Javier Emílio Lazo-Chica
- Institute of Natural and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-189, MG, Brazil;
| | - Maria Cristina Roque-Barreira
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
| | - Thiago Aparecido da Silva
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (P.K.M.O.-B.); (G.Y.d.C.); (J.G.G.); (E.S.d.M.); (M.C.R.-B.)
- Thiago Aparecido da Silva, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +55-16-3315-3049
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43
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Augmenting Azoles with Drug Synergy to Expand the Antifungal Toolbox. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040482. [PMID: 35455479 PMCID: PMC9027798 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections impact the lives of at least 12 million people every year, killing over 1.5 million. Wide-spread use of fungicides and prophylactic antifungal therapy have driven resistance in many serious fungal pathogens, and there is an urgent need to expand the current antifungal arsenal. Recent research has focused on improving azoles, our most successful class of antifungals, by looking for synergistic interactions with secondary compounds. Synergists can co-operate with azoles by targeting steps in related pathways, or they may act on mechanisms related to resistance such as active efflux or on totally disparate pathways or processes. A variety of sources of potential synergists have been explored, including pre-existing antimicrobials, pharmaceuticals approved for other uses, bioactive natural compounds and phytochemicals, and novel synthetic compounds. Synergy can successfully widen the antifungal spectrum, decrease inhibitory dosages, reduce toxicity, and prevent the development of resistance. This review highlights the diversity of mechanisms that have been exploited for the purposes of azole synergy and demonstrates that synergy remains a promising approach for meeting the urgent need for novel antifungal strategies.
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44
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Antifungal Activity of Endophytic Aspergillus terreus Extract Against Some Fungi Causing Mucormycosis: Ultrastructural Study. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2022; 194:3468-3482. [PMID: 35366185 PMCID: PMC8976165 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-03876-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Endophytes fungi are applied as favorable safe antifungal agents as well as natural bioactive compounds reservoir. In the current study, the inhibitory effect of endophytic fungus was explained by direct antifungal activity against fungi causing mucormycosis, ultrastructural, and determination of active compounds in fungal extract. Endophytic Aspergillus terreus was isolated from healthy Moringa oleifera leaves and identified morphologically and genetically, and was recorded in gene bank with accession number MW444551.1. Phytochemical analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) of ethyl acetate crude extract (EACE) of A. terreus were performed. GC–MS results of EACE of A. terreus revealed that fungal extract contains 16 major bioactive compounds with extensive pharmaceutical activities. Furthermore, EACE of A. terreus revealed a promising antifungal activity against fungi causing mucormycosis as Rhizopus oryzae, Mucor racemosus, and Syncephalastrum racemosum, where inhibition zones of EACE (10 mg/ml) were 20, 37, and 18 mm, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EACE was 0.3125 toward M. racemosus, while 1.25 and 2.5 mg/ml against R. oryzae and S. racemosum, respectively. In the same context, treated R. oryzae, M. racemosus, and S. racemosum with EACE of A. terreus revealed elevation of membrane lipid peroxidation which approves membrane leakage. Furthermore, ultrastructure changes were observed which established alteration in both sporangium and hyphal structures; cell membrane and cytoplasm leakage. In conclusion, endophytic A. terreus has an outstanding antifungal activity against fungi causing mucormycosis.
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45
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Synthesis and Evaluation of the Antifungal and Toxicological Activity of Nitrofuran Derivatives. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030593. [PMID: 35335969 PMCID: PMC8950151 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal diseases affect more than 1 billion people worldwide. The constant global changes, the advent of new pandemics, and chronic diseases favor the diffusion of fungal pathogens such as Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Trichophyton, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. In this work, a series of nitrofuran derivatives were synthesized and tested against different fungal species; most of them showed inhibitory activity, fungicide, and fungistatic profile. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC90) values for the most potent compounds range from 0.48 µg/mL against H. capsulatum (compound 11) and P. brasiliensis (compounds 3 and 9) to 0.98 µg/mL against Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes (compounds 8, 9, 12, 13 and 8, 12, 13, respectively), and 3.9 µg/mL against Candida and Cryptococcus neoformans strains (compounds 1 and 5, respectively). In addition, all compounds showed low toxicity when tested in vitro on lung cell lines (A549 and MRC-5) and in vivo in Caenorhabditis elegans larvae. Many of them showed high selectivity index values. Thus, these studied nitrofuran derivatives proved to be potent against different fungal species, characterized by low toxicity and high selectivity; for these reasons, they may become promising compounds for the treatment of mycoses.
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46
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Corrêa-Almeida C, Borba-Santos LP, Rollin-Pinheiro R, Barreto-Bergter E, Rozental S, Kurtenbach E. Characterization of Aspergillus nidulans Biofilm Formation and Structure and Their Inhibition by Pea Defensin Psd2. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:795255. [PMID: 35155575 PMCID: PMC8830917 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.795255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately four million people contract fungal infections every year in Brazil, primarily caused by Aspergillus spp. The ability of these fungi to form biofilms in tissues and medical devices complicates treatment and contributes to high rates of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Psd2 is a pea defensin of 5.4 kDa that possesses good antifungal activity against planktonic cells of representative pathogenic fungi. Its function depends on interactions with membrane and cell wall lipid components such as glucosylceramide and ergosterol. In the present study, we characterized Aspergillus nidulans biofilm formation and determined the effect of Psd2 on A. nidulans biofilms. After 4 hours, A. nidulans conidia adhered to polystyrene surfaces and formed a robust extracellular matrix-producing biofilm at 24 h, increasing thickness until 48 h Psd2 inhibited A. nidulans biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. Most notably, at 10 μM Psd2 inhibited 50% of biofilm viability and biomass and 40% of extracellular matrix production. Psd2 significantly decreased the colonized surface area by the biofilm and changed its level of organization, causing a shortening of length and diameter of hyphae and inhibition of conidiophore formation. This activity against A. nidulans biofilm suggests a potential use of Psd2 as a prototype to design new antifungal agents to prevent biofilm formation by A. nidulans and related species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Corrêa-Almeida
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Bioquímica de Proteínas, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Estrutural, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Luana P. Borba-Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Fungos, Programa de Parasitologia e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Rodrigo Rollin-Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Química Biológica de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Eliana Barreto-Bergter
- Laboratório de Química Biológica de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Sonia Rozental
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Fungos, Programa de Parasitologia e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Eleonora Kurtenbach
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Bioquímica de Proteínas, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Estrutural, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- *Correspondence: Eleonora Kurtenbach,
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47
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Salem SS, Ali OM, Reyad AM, Abd-Elsalam KA, Hashem AH. Pseudomonas indica-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles: Antifungal and Antioxidant Biogenic Tool for Suppressing Mucormycosis Fungi. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8020126. [PMID: 35205879 PMCID: PMC8874487 DOI: 10.3390/jof8020126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucormycosis is considered one of the most dangerous invasive fungal diseases. In this study, a facile, green and eco-friendly method was used to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Pseudomonas indica S. Azhar, to combat fungi causing mucormycosis. The biosynthesis of AgNPs was validated by a progressive shift in the color of P. indica filtrate from colorless to brown, as well as the identification of a distinctive absorption peak at 420 nm using UV-vis spectroscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results indicated the existence of bioactive chemicals that are responsible for AgNP production. AgNPs with particle sizes ranging from 2.4 to 53.5 nm were discovered using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Pattern peaks corresponding to the 111, 200, 220, 311, and 222 planes, which corresponded to face-centered cubic forms of metallic silver, were also discovered using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Moreover, antifungal activity measurements of biosynthesized AgNPs against Rhizopus Microsporus, Mucor racemosus, and Syncephalastrum racemosum were carried out. Results of antifungal activity analysis revealed that the biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited outstanding antifungal activity against all tested fungi at a concentration of 400 µg/mL, where minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were 50, 50, and 100 µg/mL toward R. microsporus, S. racemosum, and M. racemosus respectively. In addition, the biosynthesized AgNPs revealed antioxidant activity, where IC50 was 31 µg/mL when compared to ascorbic acid (0.79 µg/mL). Furthermore, the biosynthesized AgNPs showed no cytotoxicity on the Vero normal cell line. In conclusion, the biosynthesized AgNPs in this study can be used as effective antifungals with safe use, particularly for fungi causing mucormycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salem S. Salem
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11884, Egypt;
| | - Omar M. Ali
- Department of Chemistry, Turabah University College, Turabah Branch, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (O.M.A.); (K.A.A.-E.); (A.H.H.)
| | - Ahmed M. Reyad
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, Jazan 82817, Saudi Arabia;
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Kamel A. Abd-Elsalam
- Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Giza 12619, Egypt
- Correspondence: (O.M.A.); (K.A.A.-E.); (A.H.H.)
| | - Amr H. Hashem
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11884, Egypt;
- Correspondence: (O.M.A.); (K.A.A.-E.); (A.H.H.)
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48
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Ahmadi A, Mohammadnejadi E, Karami P, Razzaghi-Asl N. Current Status and Structure Activity Relationship of Privileged Azoles as Antifungal Agents (2016-2020). Int J Antimicrob Agents 2022; 59:106518. [PMID: 35045309 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2022.106518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections have major contribution to the infectious related deaths in recent century. The issue has gotten worse with the advent of immunity impairing conditions such as HIV epidemic. Eukaryote nature of fungal pathogens leads to harder eradication than bacterial infections. Given the importance of the problem, considerable efforts have been put on the synthesis and biological assessment of azole-based chemical scaffolds and their bioisosteres. The emergence of validated macromolecular targets within different fungal species inspires structure-based drug design strategies toward diverse azole-based agents. Despite of advantageous features, emergence of drug-resistant fungal species restrict the applicability of current azoles as the first-line antifungal agents. Consequently, it appears advisable to elucidate SARs and chemical biodiversity within antifungal azoles. Current contribution was devoted to a brief look at clinically applied drugs, structure-based classification of azole antifungals and their structure activity relationships (SARs). Reviewed molecules belong to the antifungal structures that were reported throughout 2016-2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ahmadi
- Students Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - E Mohammadnejadi
- Students Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - P Karami
- Biosensor Sciences and Technologies Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - N Razzaghi-Asl
- Biosensor Sciences and Technologies Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
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49
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Botelho TKR, Danielli LJ, Seide M, Borges PP, Cruz AB. Distribution and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species isolated from clinical samples in southern Brazil. BRAZ J PHARM SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/s2175-97902022e20727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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50
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Reginatto P, Joaquim AR, Rocha DA, Berlitz SJ, Külkamp-Guerreiro IC, De Andrade SF, Fuentefria AM. 8-hydroxyquinoline and quinazoline derivatives as potential new alternatives to combat Candida spp. biofilm. Lett Appl Microbiol 2021; 74:395-404. [PMID: 34822194 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Often associated to the colonization by Candida spp. biofilm, the catheter-related infections are a serious health problem since the absence of a specific therapy. Hence, the main objective of this work was to evaluate the activity of 8-hydroxyquinoline and quinazoline derivatives on Candida spp. biofilms. A quinazoline derivative (PH100) and an 8-hydroxyquinoline derivative (PH157) were tested against nine strains of C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis, and their biofilms in polystyrene microtitre plates and on polyurethane central venous catheter. The PH157 compound was incorporated into a film-forming system-type formulation and its capacity to inhibit biofilm formation on catheters was evaluated. The compounds were active against planktonic and sessile cells, as well as against the tested biofilms. PH157 compound performed better than the PH100 compound. The formulation containing PH157 presented results very similar to those of the compound in solution, which indicates that its activity was preserved. Both compounds showed activity against Candida spp. strains and their biofilm, with better PH157 activity. The formulation preserved the action of the PH157 compound, in addition, it facilitates its application on the catheter. The structural modifications that these compounds allow can generate compounds that are even more active, both against planktonic cells and biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Reginatto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - A R Joaquim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - D A Rocha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - S J Berlitz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nanotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - I C Külkamp-Guerreiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nanotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - S F De Andrade
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - A M Fuentefria
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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