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Bacchetti F, Schito AM, Milanese M, Castellaro S, Alfei S. Anti Gram-Positive Bacteria Activity of Synthetic Quaternary Ammonium Lipid and Its Precursor Phosphonium Salt. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2761. [PMID: 38474008 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052761] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Organic ammonium and phosphonium salts exert excellent antimicrobial effects by interacting lethally with bacterial membranes. Particularly, quaternary ammonium lipids have demonstrated efficiency both as gene vectors and antibacterial agents. Here, aiming at finding new antibacterial devices belonging to both classes, we prepared a water-soluble quaternary ammonium lipid (6) and a phosphonium salt (1) by designing a synthetic path where 1 would be an intermediate to achieve 6. All synthesized compounds were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Additionally, potentiometric titrations of NH3+ groups 1 and 6 were performed to further confirm their structure by determining their experimental molecular weight. The antibacterial activities of 1 and 6 were assessed first against a selection of multi-drug-resistant clinical isolates of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, observing remarkable antibacterial activity of both compounds against Gram-positive isolates of Enterococcus and Staphylococcus genus. Further investigations on a wider variety of strains of these species confirmed the remarkable antibacterial effects of 1 and 6 (MICs = 4-16 and 4-64 µg/mL, respectively), while 24 h-time-killing experiments carried out with 1 on different S. aureus isolates evidenced a bacteriostatic behavior. Moreover, both compounds 1 and 6, at the lower MIC concentration, did not show significant cytotoxic effects when exposed to HepG2 human hepatic cell lines, paving the way for their potential clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Maria Schito
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Milanese
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Castellaro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
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Alfei S. Shifting from Ammonium to Phosphonium Salts: A Promising Strategy to Develop Next-Generation Weapons against Biofilms. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:80. [PMID: 38258091 PMCID: PMC10819902 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010080] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Since they are difficult and sometimes impossible to treat, infections sustained by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, emerging especially in nosocomial environments, are an increasing global public health concern, translating into high mortality and healthcare costs. In addition to having acquired intrinsic abilities to resist available antibiotic treatments, MDR bacteria can transmit genetic material encoding for resistance to non-mutated bacteria, thus strongly decreasing the number of available effective antibiotics. Moreover, several pathogens develop resistance by forming biofilms (BFs), a safe and antibiotic-resistant home for microorganisms. BFs are made of well-organized bacterial communities, encased and protected in a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix, which impedes antibiotics' ability to reach bacteria, thus causing them to lose efficacy. By adhering to living or abiotic surfaces in healthcare settings, especially in intensive care units where immunocompromised older patients with several comorbidities are hospitalized BFs cause the onset of difficult-to-eradicate infections. In this context, recent studies have demonstrated that quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), acting as membrane disruptors and initially with a low tendency to develop resistance, have demonstrated anti-BF potentialities. However, a paucity of innovation in this space has driven the emergence of QAC resistance. More recently, quaternary phosphonium salts (QPSs), including tri-phenyl alkyl phosphonium derivatives, achievable by easy one-step reactions and well known as intermediates of the Wittig reaction, have shown promising anti-BF effects in vitro. Here, after an overview of pathogen resistance, BFs, and QACs, we have reviewed the QPSs developed and assayed to this end, so far. Finally, the synthetic strategies used to prepare QPSs have also been provided and discussed to spur the synthesis of novel compounds of this class. We think that the extension of the knowledge about these materials by this review could be a successful approach to finding effective weapons for treating chronic infections and device-associated diseases sustained by BF-producing MDR bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
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Voráčová M, Zore M, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Kiuru P. Harvesting phosphorus-containing moieties for their antibacterial effects. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 96:117512. [PMID: 37939493 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117512] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Clinically manifested resistance of bacteria to antibiotics has emerged as a global threat to society and there is an urgent need for the development of novel classes of antibacterial agents. Recently, the use of phosphorus in antibacterial agents has been explored in quite an unprecedent manner. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the use of phosphorus-containing moieties (phosphonates, phosphonamidates, phosphonopeptides, phosphates, phosphoramidates, phosphinates, phosphine oxides, and phosphoniums) in compounds with antibacterial effect, including their use as β-lactamase inhibitors and antibacterial disinfectants. We show that phosphorus-containing moieties can serve as novel pharmacophores, bioisosteres, and prodrugs to modify pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. We further discuss the mechanisms of action, biological activities, clinical use and highlight possible future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Voráčová
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matej Zore
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula Kiuru
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Jiang HQ, Lu LY, Weng ZM, Huang KY, Yang Y, Deng HH, Xu YY, Chen W, Zhuang QQ. 6-Aza-2-Thiothymine-Capped Gold Nanoclusters as Robust Antimicrobial Nanoagents for Eradicating Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Infection. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:47123-47133. [PMID: 38107925 PMCID: PMC10720302 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, especially those caused by multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, are an ever-growing threat because of the shrinking arsenal of efficacious antibiotics. Therefore, it is urgently needed to develop a kind of novel, long-term antibacterial agent effectively overcome resistant bacteria. Herein, we present a novel designed antibacterial agent-6-Aza-2-thiothymine-capped gold nanoclusters (ATT-AuNCs), which show excellent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant E. coli bacteria. The prepared AuNCs could permeabilize into the bacterial cell membrane via binding with a bivalent cation (e.g., Ca2+), followed by the generation of reactive oxygen species (e.g., •OH and •O2-), ultimately resulting in protein leakage from compromised cell membranes, inducing DNA damage and upregulating pro-oxidative genes intracellular. The AuNCs also speed up the wound healing process without noticeable hemolytic activity or cytotoxicity to erythrocytes and mammalian tissue. Altogether, the results indicate the great promise of ATT-AuNCs for treating multidrug-resistant E. coli bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Qiong Jiang
- Department
of Cardiac Function Examination Room, Affiliated
Quanzhou First Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, China
| | - Lin-Yan Lu
- Fujian
Key Laboratory of Drug Target Discovery and Structural and Functional
Research, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical
University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Zhi-Min Weng
- Fujian
Key Laboratory of Drug Target Discovery and Structural and Functional
Research, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical
University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Kai-Yuan Huang
- Fujian
Key Laboratory of Drug Target Discovery and Structural and Functional
Research, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical
University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Fujian
Key Laboratory of Drug Target Discovery and Structural and Functional
Research, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical
University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Hao-Hua Deng
- Fujian
Key Laboratory of Drug Target Discovery and Structural and Functional
Research, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical
University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Ying-Ying Xu
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fujian
Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Fujian
Key Laboratory of Drug Target Discovery and Structural and Functional
Research, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical
University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Quan-Quan Zhuang
- Department
of Pharmacy, Affiliated Quanzhou First Hospital
of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, China
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Ibrahim MK, Haria A, Mehta NV, Degani MS. Antimicrobial potential of quaternary phosphonium salt compounds: a review. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:2113-2141. [PMID: 37929337 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0188] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Given that mitochondrial dysregulation is a biomarker of many cancers, cationic quaternary phosphonium salt (QPS) conjugation is a widely utilized strategy for anticancer drug design. QPS-conjugated compounds exhibit greater cell permeation and accumulation in negatively charged mitochondria, and thus, show enhanced activity. Phylogenetic similarities between mitochondria and bacteria have provided a rationale for exploring the antibacterial properties of mitochondria-targeted compounds. Additionally, due to the importance of mitochondria in the survival of pathogenic microbes, including fungi and parasites, this strategy can be extended to these organisms as well. This review examines recent literature on the antimicrobial activities of various QPS-conjugated compounds and provides future directions for exploring the medicinal chemistry of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahin K Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Mumbai, 400019, Maharashtra, India
| | - Akash Haria
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Mumbai, 400019, Maharashtra, India
| | - Namrashee V Mehta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Mumbai, 400019, Maharashtra, India
| | - Mariam S Degani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Mumbai, 400019, Maharashtra, India
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