Development and Sequential Analysis of a New Multi-Agent, Anti-Acne Formulation Based on Plant-Derived Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Compounds

Chemical Compositions of Essential Oil from Aerial Parts of Cyclospermum leptophyllum and Its Application as Antibacterial Activity against Some Food Spoilage Bacteria

Cyclospermum leptophyllum is plant species known for its medicinal value and pleasant aroma. The aerial part and plant seeds are traditionally used as food additives as a spice. This study aims to isolate the chemical constituents of essential oil of the aerial part of the plant and study their potential antibacterial activities against some food contaminating bacteria. The essential oil of C. leptophyllum (CSEO) was isolated from aerial parts of the plant species and studied using GC-MS and FTIR techniques. The first four major chemical constituents determined from GC-MS analysis of CSEO (for peak area % ≥ 1.15%) were 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene (87.09%), 2-methoxy-1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl) benzene (3.09%), 2-methoxy-4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl) benzene (1.71%), and humulene (1.15%). 60%, 30%, 15%, 7.5%, and 3.75% of CSEO solutions were prepared and evaluated for their potential antibacterial activities against six food spoilage pathogenic bacterial strains. Three Gram-positive strains: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Streptococcus agalactiae (ATCC 12386) and three Gram-negative strains: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 35659), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) were used as test microorganisms. Compared to ciprofloxacin, a positive control, the promising antibacterial activity was observed for CSEO against S. aureus at minimum and maximum test solutions as the values of the zone of inhibition diameter (ZID, mm) were recorded as 14.33 ± 0.58 for 3.75% CSEO solution and 30.67 ± 0.58 for 60% CSEO solution. Tests of CSEO solutions generally showed stronger antibacterial activities against Gram-positive than Gram-negative strains. Therefore, CSEO contains potent chemical constituents that might be applicable in treating pathogenic bacterial species.

Impacts of elevation on plant traits and volatile organic compound emissions in deciduous tundra shrubs

The northernmost regions of our planet experience twice the rate of climate warming compared to the global average. Despite the currently low air temperatures, tundra shrubs are known to exhibit high leaf temperatures and are increasing in height due to warming, but it is unclear how the increase in height will affect the leaf temperature. To study how temperature, soil moisture, and changes in light availability influence the physiology and emissions of climate-relevant volatile organic compounds (VOCs), we conducted a study on two common deciduous tundra shrubs, Salix glauca (separating males and females for potential effects of plant sex) and Betula glandulosa, at two elevations in South Greenland. Low-elevation Salix shrubs were 45% taller, but had 37% lower rates of net CO₂ assimilation and 63% lower rates of isoprene emission compared to high-elevation shrubs. Betula shrubs showed 40% higher stomatal conductance and 24% higher glandular trichome density, in the low-elevation valley, compared to those from the high-elevation mountain slope. Betula green leaf volatile emissions were 235% higher at high elevation compared to low elevation. Male Salix showed a distinct VOC blend and emitted 55% more oxygenated VOCs, compared to females, possibly due to plant defense mechanisms. In our light response curves, isoprene emissions increased linearly with light intensity, potentially indicating adaptation to strong light. Leaf temperature decreased with increasing Salix height, at 4 °C m^-1, which can have implications for plant physiology. However, no similar relationship was observed for B. glandulosa. Our results highlight that tundra shrub traits and VOC emissions are sensitive to temperature and light, but that local variations in soil moisture strongly interact with temperature and light responses. Our results suggest that effects of climate warming, alone, poorly predict the actual plant responses in tundra vegetation.

Rhodomyrtone as a New Natural Antibiotic Isolated from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Leaf Extract: A Clinical Application in the Management of Acne Vulgaris

Rhodomyrtone, a plant-derived principal compound isolated from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Myrtaceae) leaf extract, was assessed as a potential natural alternative for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The clinical efficacy of a 1% liposomal encapsulated rhodomyrtone serum was compared with a marketed 1% clindamycin gel. In a randomized and double-blind controlled clinical trial, 60 volunteers with mild to moderate acne severity were assigned to two groups: rhodomyrtone serum and clindamycin gel. The volunteers were instructed to apply the samples to acne lesions on their faces twice daily. A significant reduction in the total numbers of acne lesions was demonstrated in both treatment groups between week 2 and 8 (p < 0.05). Significant differences in acne numbers compared with the baseline were evidenced at week 2 onwards (p < 0.05). At the end of the clinical trial, the total inflamed acne counts in the 1% rhodomyrtone serum group were significantly reduced by 36.36%, comparable to 34.70% in the clindamycin-treated group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a commercial prototype was developed, and a clinical assessment of 45 volunteers was performed. After application of the commercial prototype for 1 week, 68.89% and 28.89% of volunteers demonstrated complete and improved inflammatory acne, respectively. All of the subjects presented no signs of irritation or side effects during the treatment. Most of the volunteers (71.11%) indicated that they were very satisfied. Rhodomyrtone serum was demonstrated to be effective and safe for the treatment of inflammatory acne lesions.

Rapid Detection and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli by Flow Cytometry

Background: Early preliminary data on antibiotic resistance patterns available before starting the empiric therapy of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients with risk factors for acquiring antibiotic resistance could improve both clinical and epidemiological outcomes. The aim of the present study was two-fold: (i) to assess the antibiotic susceptibility of uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates, exhibiting different antibiotic resistance phenotypes, directly in artificially contaminated urine samples using a flow cytometry (FC) based protocol; (ii) to optimize the protocol on urine samples deliberately contaminated with bacterial suspensions prepared from uropathogenic E. coli strains. Results: The results of the FC based antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) protocol were compared with the reference AST methods results (disk diffusion and broth microdilution) for establishing the sensitivity and specificity. The proposed FC protocol allowed the detection and quantification of uropathogenic E. coli strains susceptibility to nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone within 4 h after the inoculation of urine specimens. The early availability of preliminary antibiotic susceptibility results provided by direct analysis of clinical specimens could essentially contribute to a more targeted emergency therapy of UTIs in the anticipation of AST results obtained by reference methodology. Conclusions: This method will increase the therapeutic success rate and help to prevent the emergence and dissemination of drug resistant pathogens.

Modification of miRNA Expression through plant extracts and compounds against breast cancer: Mechanism and translational significance

BACKGROUND

Cancer is hyper-proliferative, multi-factorial and multi-step, heterogeneous group of molecular disorders. It is the second most reported disease after heart diseases. Breast carcinoma is the foremost death causing disease in female population worldwide. Cancer can be controlled by regulating the gene expression. Current therapeutic options are associated with severe side effects and are expensive for the people living in under-developed countries. Plant derived substances have potential application against different diseases like cancer, inflammation and viral infections.

HYPOTHESIS

The mechanism of action of the medicinal plants is largely unknown. Targeting gene network and miRNA using medicinal plants could help in improving the therapeutic options against cancer.

METHODS

The literature from 135 articles was reviewed by using PubMed, google scholar, Science direct to find out the plants and plant-based compounds against breast cancer and also the studies reporting their mechanistic route of action both at coding and noncoding RNA levels.

RESULTS

Natural products act as selective inhibitors of the cancerous cells by targeting oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes or altering miRNA expression. Natural compounds like EGCG from tea, Genistein from fava beans, curcumin from turmeric, DIM found in cruciferous, Resveratrol a polyphenol and Quercetin a flavonoid is found in various plants have been studied for their anticancer activity. The EGCG was found to inhibit proliferative activity by modulating miR-16 and miR-21. Similarly, DIM was found to down regulate miR-92a which results to modulate NFkB and stops cancer development. Another plant-based compound Glyceollins found to upregulate miR-181c and miR-181d having role in tumor suppression. It also found to regulate miR-22, 29b and c, miR-30d, 34a and 195. Quercetin having anti-cancer activity induce the apoptosis through regulating miR-16, 26b, 34a, let-7g, 125a and miR-605 and reduce the miRNA expression like miR-146a/b, 503 and 194 which are involved in metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Targeting miRNA expression using natural plant extracts can have a reverse effect on cell proliferation; turning on and off tumor-inducing and suppressing genes. It can be efficiently adopted as an adjuvant with the conventional form of therapies to increase their efficacy against cancer progression.

Potential Use of Seaweed Bioactive Compounds in Skincare-A Review

Modern lifestyles have developed new attention on appearance and personal care which attract a huge number of consumers towards cosmetic products. The demand for a skincare product with natural ingredients is rapidly increasing. Seaweeds are major resources for in-demand active compounds with a wide variety of applications. The use of seaweed-derived ingredients in cosmetic products has increased in recent years as many scientific studies have proved the potential skincare properties of seaweed bioactive compounds. This review emphasizes possible skincare properties of seaweed bioactive compounds. The review outlines the mechanism involved in skin problems including hyperpigmentation, premature skin aging, and acne in the first part while the second part focuses on the promising application of seaweeds in skin protection by highlighting the bioactive compound responsible for their bioactivity.

Skin Retention of Sorbates from an After Sun Formulation for a Broad Photoprotection

Overexposure to sunlight is widely accepted as the underlying cause of cutaneous melanoma. UV radiation induces the formation of DNA photoproducts that, if unrepaired, can induce carcinogenic mutations. Recent data indicate that sorbates can be useful to widen the protection against UV radiation by acting as a triplet-state quencher in the melanocyte. The aim of the present work was to prepare an after sun formulation containing ethylsorbate or sorbic acid in order to take advantage of the triplet-state quenching activity of these molecules and protect the skin from UV-induced damages. Ethylsorbate and sorbic acid were characterized in terms of solubility and partition coefficient, and their transdermal permeation and skin accumulation were studied in vitro from simple solutions and in the presence of cyclodextrins (alpha and hydroxypropylbeta) as a complexing agent. The goal was to reduce as much as possible sorbates permeation while sustaining their skin levels. The obtained results indicated that the addition of alphacyclodextrins determined a 6-folds (ethylsorbate ) or 4-folds (sorbic acid) reduction of the transdermal permeation. Sorbic acid and alphacyclodextrin (1:1 molar ratio) were then formulated in an after sun vehicle using 1.5% hyaluronic acid (sodium salt) as a thickener and hydrating agent. The addition of hyaluronic acid gave rise to a formulation with good cosmetic properties and good sorbate (0.2–0.3 µmol/cm2) skin levels (stratum corneum + viable epidermis) and thus a potential protection against post-exposure UV damage.

New N-(oxazolylmethyl)-thiazolidinedione Active against Candida albicans Biofilm: Potential Als Proteins Inhibitors

C. albicans is the most frequently occurring fungal pathogen, and is becoming an increasing public health problem, especially in the context of increased microbial resistance. This opportunistic pathogen is characterized by a versatility explained mainly by its ability to form complex biofilm structures that lead to enhanced virulence and antibiotic resistance. In this context, a review of the known C. albicans biofilm formation inhibitors were performed and a new N-(oxazolylmethyl)-thiazolidinedione scaffold was constructed. 16 new compounds were synthesized and characterized in order to confirm their proposed structures. A general antimicrobial screening against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi, was performed and revealed that the compounds do not have direct antimicrobial activity. The anti-biofilm activity evaluation confirmed the compounds act as selective inhibitors of C. albicans biofilm formation. In an effort to substantiate this biologic profile, we used in silico investigations which suggest that the compounds could act by binding, and thus obstructing the functions of, the C. albicans Als surface proteins, especially Als1, Als3, Als5 and Als6. Considering the well documented role of Als1 and Als3 in biofilm formation, our new class of compounds that target these proteins could represent a new approach in C. albicans infection prevention and management.