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do Socorro Costa M, da Silva ARP, Santos Araújo J, Dos Santos ATL, Fonseca VJA, Gonçalves Alencar G, Moura TF, Gonçalves SA, Filho JMB, Morais-Braga MFB, Andrade-Pinheiro JC, Coutinho HDM. In vitro Evaluation of Fungal Susceptibility and Inhibition of Virulence by Diosgenin. Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202400444. [PMID: 38670923 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202400444] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections are a public health problem that mainly affects immunosuppressed people, Candida spp. have been responsible for most sources of contamination and invasive fungal infections described around the world. The need arises to find new therapeutic approaches to combat growing infections. Plants and natural products have been considered a valuable source for discovering new molecules with active ingredients. Diosgenin is a sapogenin found in the families of Leguminosae and Dioscoreaceae, it is obtained mainly from the dioscin saponin through the hydrolysis method, it is a phytochemical that has been highlighted in the treatment of various diseases, as well as in combating microbial resistance. The present study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of fungal strains to diosgenin, as well as verify the association with the reference drug and evaluate the inhibition of the virulence factor through morphological changes in the yeast state to the filamentous form of hyphae and pseudohyphae in strains of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei using the broth microdilution method and microculture technique. Antifungal assays revealed that diosgenin was not able to inhibit the growth of the tested strains. However, it was able to inhibit the fungal dimorphism of the strains evaluated, however further studies are recommended to verify its effectiveness against other virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria do Socorro Costa
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology- LMBM, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Ana Raquel Pereira da Silva
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology- LMBM, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Juliana Santos Araújo
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology -, LAMAP, Federal University of Cariri, Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gabriel Gonçalves Alencar
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology- LMBM, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Talysson Felismino Moura
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology- LMBM, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Sheila Alves Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology- LMBM, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| | - José Maria Barbosa Filho
- Laboratory Technology Pharmaceutical, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | - Jacqueline Cosmo Andrade-Pinheiro
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology- LMBM, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology -, LAMAP, Federal University of Cariri, Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil
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Silva VBD, Almeida-Bezerra JW, Novais MHG, Farias NS, Coelho JJ, Ribeiro PRV, Canuto KM, Coutinho HDM, Morais-Braga MFB, Oliveira AFMD. Chemical composition, antifungal, and anti-virulence action of the stem bark of Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae) against Candida spp. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 321:117506. [PMID: 38012976 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Hancornia speciosa Gomes is a fruit and medicinal species used for treating infectious diseases of the genitourinary system. However, its mechanism of action against microbes is still not fully understood. Infections in the genitourinary system caused by Candida spp. are associated with its fungal resistance and pathogenicity. New plant-derived compounds are an alternative to fight these Candida infections. AIM OF THE STUDY The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-Candida effects of extracts of the stem bark of H. speciosa. This research investigated the chemical composition of sulfuric ether (EEHS) and methanolic (MEHS) extracts, their drug-modifying action on fluconazole, and their anti-virulence action on the morphological transition of Candida species. MATERIALS AND METHODS The extracts (EEHS and MEHS) of the stem bark of H. speciosa were chemically characterized via qualitative phytochemical screening and by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-ESI-QTOF). The extracts were evaluated regarding their antifungal effects and fluconazole-modifying activity against Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida tropicalis using the broth microdilution method. Additionally, the study evaluated the inhibition of fungal virulence in Candida species through morphological transition assays. RESULTS The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of anthocyanidins, anthocyanins, aurones, catechins, chalcones, flavones, flavonols, flavanones, leucoanthocyanidins, tannins (condensed and pyrogallic), and xanthones in both extracts of the stem bark of H. speciosa. The UPLC-MS-ESI-QTOF analysis identified the same compounds in both extracts, predominating phenolic compounds. Some compounds were first time recorded in this species: gluconic acid, cinchonain IIb, cinchonain Ib isomer, and lariciresinol hexoside isomers. Most of the intrinsic antifungal activity was observed for the MEHS against C. krusei (IC50: 58.41 μg/mL). At subinhibitory concentrations (MC/8), the EEHS enhanced the action of fluconazole against all Candida strains. The MEHS exhibited greater efficacy than fluconazole inhibiting C. krusei growth. The EEHS completely inhibited hyphae appearance and reduced pseudohyphae formation in C. albicans. CONCLUSION The stem bark of H. speciosa is a rich source of bioactive compounds, especially phenolic. Phenolic compounds can have important roles in fighting infectious diseases of the genitourinary system, such as candidiasis. The extracts of H. speciosa improved the action of the drug fluconazole against Candida species, inhibited hyphae appearance, and reduced pseudohyphae formation. The results of this study can support the development of new therapeutics against resistant strains of Candida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Bezerra da Silva
- Department of Botany, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, Rua Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Recife, Pernambuco, 50.670-901, Brazil.
| | - José Weverton Almeida-Bezerra
- Department of Botany, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, Rua Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Recife, Pernambuco, 50.670-901, Brazil
| | - Maria Hellena Garcia Novais
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Regional do Cariri - URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz, 1161, Crato, Ceará, 63.105-000, Brazil
| | - Naiza Saraiva Farias
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Regional do Cariri - URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz, 1161, Crato, Ceará, 63.105-000, Brazil
| | - Janerson José Coelho
- Animal Science Department, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão - UEMA, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Paulo Riceli Vasconcelos Ribeiro
- Multi-User Natural Products Chemistry Laboratory - LMQPN, Embrapa Agroindustria Tropical, Rua Dra. Sara Mesquita, 2270, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60511-110, Brazil
| | - Kirley Marques Canuto
- Multi-User Natural Products Chemistry Laboratory - LMQPN, Embrapa Agroindustria Tropical, Rua Dra. Sara Mesquita, 2270, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60511-110, Brazil
| | - Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Universidade Regional do Cariri - URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz, 1161, Crato, Ceará, 63.105-000, Brazil
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Scior T, Abdallah HH, Salvador-Atonal K, Laufer S. Dapsone is not a Pharmacodynamic Lead Compound for its Aryl Derivatives. Curr Comput Aided Drug Des 2021; 16:327-339. [PMID: 32507104 DOI: 10.2174/1573409915666191010104527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relatedness between the linear equations of thermodynamics and QSAR was studied thanks to the recently elucidated crystal structure complexes between sulfonamide pterin conjugates and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) together with a published set of thirty- six synthetic dapsone derivatives with their reported entropy-driven activity data. Only a few congeners were slightly better than dapsone. OBJECTIVE Our study aimed at demonstrating the applicability of thermodynamic QSAR and to shed light on the mechanistic aspects of sulfone binding to DHPS. METHODS To this end ligand docking to DHPS, quantum mechanical properties, 2D- and 3D-QSAR as well as Principle Component Analysis (PCA) were carried out. RESULTS The short aryl substituents of the docked pterin-sulfa conjugates were outward oriented into the solvent space without interacting with target residues which explains why binding enthalpy (ΔH) did not correlate with potency. PCA revealed how chemically informative descriptors are evenly loaded on the first three PCs (interpreted as ΔG, ΔH and ΔS), while chemically cryptic ones reflected higher dimensional (complex) loadings. CONCLUSION It is safe to utter that synthesis efforts to introduce short side chains for aryl derivatization of the dapsone scaffold have failed in the past. On theoretical grounds we provide computed evidence why dapsone is not a pharmacodynamic lead for drug profiling because enthalpic terms do not change significantly at the moment of ligand binding to target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Scior
- Chemical Science Faculty, Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla, C.P. 72570, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Hassan H Abdallah
- Chemistry Department, College of Education, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Iraq.,Pharmacy School, University Sains Malaysia, USM, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Kenia Salvador-Atonal
- Chemical Science Faculty, Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla, C.P. 72570, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Stefan Laufer
- Pharmazeutisches Institut, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Scorzoni L, Fuchs BB, Junqueira JC, Mylonakis E. Current and promising pharmacotherapeutic options for candidiasis. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:867-887. [PMID: 33538201 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1873951] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Candida spp. are commensal yeasts capable of causing infections such as superficial, oral, vaginal, or systemic infections. Despite medical advances, the antifungal pharmacopeia remains limited and the development of alternative strategies is needed.Areas covered: We discuss available treatments for Candida spp. infections, highlighting advantages and limitations related to pharmacokinetics, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial resistance. Moreover, we present new perspectives to improve the activity of the available antifungals, discussing their immunomodulatory potential and advances on drug delivery carriers. New therapeutic approaches are presented including recent synthesized antifungal compounds (Enchochleated-Amphotericin B, tetrazoles, rezafungin, enfumafungin, manogepix and arylamidine); drug repurposing using a diversity of antibacterial, antiviral and non-antimicrobial drugs; combination therapies with different compounds or photodynamic therapy; and innovations based on nano-particulate delivery systems.Expert opinion: With the lack of novel drugs, the available assets must be leveraged to their best advantage through modifications that enhance delivery, efficacy, and solubility. However, these efforts are met with continuous challenges presented by microbes in their infinite plight to resist and survive therapeutic drugs. The pharmacotherapeutic options in development need to focus on new antimicrobial targets. The success of each antimicrobial agent brings strategic insights to the next phased approach in treatingCandida spp. infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Scorzoni
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University/UNESP, SP Brazil
| | - Beth Burgwyn Fuchs
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI USA
| | - Juliana Campos Junqueira
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University/UNESP, SP Brazil
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI USA
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Staniszewska M. Virulence Factors in Candida species. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2021; 21:313-323. [PMID: 31544690 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666190722152415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Fungal diseases are severe and have very high morbidity as well as up to 60% mortality for patients diagnosed with invasive fungal infection. In this review, in vitro and in vivo studies provided us with the insight into the role of Candida virulence factors that mediate their success as pathogens, such as: membrane and cell wall (CW) barriers, dimorphism, biofilm formation, signal transduction pathway, proteins related to stress tolerance, hydrolytic enzymes (e.g. proteases, lipases, haemolysins), and toxin production. The review characterized the virulence of clinically important C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata and C. krusei. Due to the white-opaque transition in the mating-type locus MTL-homozygous cells, C. albicans demonstrates an advantage over other less related species of Candida as a human commensal and pathogen. It was reviewed that Candida ergosterol biosynthesis genes play a role in cellular stress and are essential for Candida pathogenesis both in invasive and superficial infections. Hydrolases associated with CW are involved in the host-pathogen interactions. Adhesins are crucial in colonization and biofilm formation, an important virulence factor for candidiasis. Calcineurin is involved in membrane and CW stress as well as virulence. The hyphae-specific toxin, named candidalysin, invades mucosal cells facilitating fungal invasion into deeper tissues. Expression of this protein promotes resistance to neutrophil killing in candidiasis. The virulence factors provide immunostimulatory factors, activating dendric cells and promoting T cell infiltration and activation. Targeting virulence factors, can reduce the risk of resistance development in Candida infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Staniszewska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland
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Staniszewska M, Gizińska M, Kazek M, de Jesús González-Hernández R, Ochal Z, Mora-Montes HM. New antifungal 4-chloro-3-nitrophenyldifluoroiodomethyl sulfone reduces the Candida albicans pathogenicity in the Galleria mellonella model organism. Braz J Microbiol 2019; 51:5-14. [PMID: 31486049 PMCID: PMC7058776 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-019-00140-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans represents an interesting microorganism to study complex host-pathogen interactions and for the development of effective antifungals. Our goal was to assess the efficacy of 4-chloro-3-nitrophenyldifluoroiodomethyl sulfone (named Sulfone) against the C. albicans infections in the Galleria mellonella host model. We assessed invasiveness of CAI4 parental strain and mutants: kex2Δ/KEX2 and kex2Δ/kex2Δ in G. mellonella treated with Sulfone. We determined that KEX2 expression was altered following Sulfone treatment in G. mellonella-C. albicans infection model. Infection with kex2Δ/kex2Δ induced decreased inflammation and minimal fault in fitness of larvae vs CAI4. Fifty percent of larvae died within 4–5 days (P value < 0.0001) when infected with CAI4 and kex2Δ/KEX2 at 109 CFU/mL; survival reached 100% in those injected with kex2Δ/kex2Δ. Larvae treated with Sulfone at 0.01 mg/kg 30 min before infection with all C. albicans tested survived infection at 90–100% vs C. albicans infected-PBS-treated larvae. Hypersensitive to Sulfone, kex2Δ/kex2Δ reduced virulence in survival. KEX2 was down-regulated when larvae were treated with Sulfone: 30 min before and 2 h post-SC5314-wild-type infection respectively. kex2Δ/kex2Δ was able to infect larvae, but failed to kill host when treated with Sulfone. Sulfone can be used to prevent or treat candidiasis. G. mellonella facilitates studding of host-pathogen interactions, i.e., testing host vs panel of C. albicans mutants when antifungal is dosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Staniszewska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664, Warsaw, Poland.
| | | | - Michalina Kazek
- Laboratory of Physiology, The Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Science, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Roberto de Jesús González-Hernández
- Departamento de Biologia, Division de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico
| | - Zbigniew Ochal
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biologia, Division de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico
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