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Karczewska M, Wang AY, Narajczyk M, Słomiński B, Szalewska-Pałasz A, Nowicki D. Antibacterial activity of t-cinnamaldehyde: An approach to its mechanistic principle towards enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 132:155845. [PMID: 38964154 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compounds of natural origin are potent source of drugs with unique mechanisms of action. Among phytochemicals, trans-cinnamaldehyde (t-CA) exhibits a wide range of biological activity, thus has been used for centuries to fight bacterial and fungal infections. However, the molecular basis of these properties has not been fully covered. Considering that difficult-to-control infections are becoming a rising global problem, there is a need to elucidate the molecular potential of t-CA. PURPOSE To evaluate the antibacterial activity of t-CA against Shiga-toxigenic E. coli strains and elucidate its mechanism of action based on the inhibition of the virulence factor expression. METHODS The antimicrobial potential of t-CA was assessed with two-fold microdilution and time-kill assays. Further evaluation included bioluminescence suppression assays, quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and assessment of NAD+/NADH ratios. Morphological changes post t-CA exposure were examined using transmission electron microscopy. RNA sequencing and radiolabeling of nucleotides elucidated the metabolic alterations induced by t-CA. Toxin expression level was monitored through the application of fusion proteins, monitoring of bacteriophage development, and fluorescence microscopy studies. Lastly, the therapeutic efficacy in vivo was assessed using Galleria mellonella infection model. RESULTS A comprehensive study of t-CA's bioactivity showed unique properties affecting bacterial metabolism and morphology, resulting in significant bacterial cell deformation and effective virulence inhibition. Elucidation of the underlying mechanisms indicated that t-CA activates the global regulatory system, the stringent response, manifested by its alarmone, (p)ppGpp, overproduction mediated by the RelA enzyme, thereby inhibiting bacterial proliferation. Intriguingly, t-CA effectively downregulates Shiga toxin gene expression via alarmone molecules, indicating its potential for therapeutic effect. In vivo validation demonstrated a significant improvement in larval survival rates post- t-CA treatment with 50 mg/kg (p < 0.05), akin to the efficacy observed with azithromycin, thus indicating its effectiveness against EHEC infections (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these results reveal the robust antibacterial capabilities of t-CA, warranting its further exploration as a viable anti-infective agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Karczewska
- Department of Bacterial Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Ai Yan Wang
- Department of Bacterial Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Narajczyk
- Bioimaging Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Bartosz Słomiński
- Department of Medical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Szalewska-Pałasz
- Department of Bacterial Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dariusz Nowicki
- Department of Bacterial Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
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Hoch CC, Shoykhet M, Weiser T, Griesbaum L, Petry J, Hachani K, Multhoff G, Bashiri Dezfouli A, Wollenberg B. Isothiocyanates in medicine: A comprehensive review on phenylethyl-, allyl-, and benzyl-isothiocyanates. Pharmacol Res 2024; 201:107107. [PMID: 38354869 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, isothiocyanates (ITCs), bioactive compounds primarily derived from Brassicaceae vegetables and herbs, have gained significant attention within the biomedical field due to their versatile biological effects. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth exploration of the therapeutic potential and individual biological mechanisms of the three specific ITCs phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), and benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), as well as their collective impact within the formulation of ANGOCIN® Anti-Infekt N (Angocin). Angocin comprises horseradish root (Armoracia rusticanae radix, 80 mg) and nasturtium (Tropaeoli majoris herba, 200 mg) and is authorized for treating inflammatory diseases affecting the respiratory and urinary tract. The antimicrobial efficacy of this substance has been confirmed both in vitro and in various clinical trials, with its primary effectiveness attributed to ITCs. PEITC, AITC, and BITC exhibit a wide array of health benefits, including potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, along with noteworthy anticancer potentials. Moreover, we highlight their ability to modulate critical biochemical pathways, such as the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways, shedding light on their involvement in cellular apoptosis and their intricate role to guide immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosima C Hoch
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Shoykhet
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Weiser
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Lena Griesbaum
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Julie Petry
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Khouloud Hachani
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich (TranslaTUM), Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Gabriele Multhoff
- Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich (TranslaTUM), Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Ali Bashiri Dezfouli
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich (TranslaTUM), Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Barbara Wollenberg
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany.
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Shoaib S, Ansari MA, Ghazwani M, Hani U, Jamous YF, Alali Z, Wahab S, Ahmad W, Weir SA, Alomary MN, Yusuf N, Islam N. Prospective Epigenetic Actions of Organo-Sulfur Compounds against Cancer: Perspectives and Molecular Mechanisms. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030697. [PMID: 36765652 PMCID: PMC9913804 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Major epigenetic alterations, such as chromatin modifications, DNA methylation, and miRNA regulation, have gained greater attention and play significant roles in oncogenesis, representing a new paradigm in our understanding of cancer susceptibility. These epigenetic changes, particularly aberrant promoter hypermethylation, abnormal histone acetylation, and miRNA dysregulation, represent a set of epigenetic patterns that contribute to inappropriate gene silencing at every stage of cancer progression. Notably, the cancer epigenome possesses various HDACs and DNMTs, which participate in the histone modifications and DNA methylation. As a result, there is an unmet need for developing the epigenetic inhibitors against HDACs and DNMTs for cancer therapy. To date, several epigenetically active synthetic inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases and histone deacetylases have been developed. However, a growing body of research reports that most of these synthetic inhibitors have significant side effects and a narrow window of specificity for cancer cells. Targeting tumor epigenetics with phytocompounds that have the capacity to modulate abnormal DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and miRNAs expression is one of the evolving strategies for cancer prevention. Encouragingly, there are many bioactive phytochemicals, including organo-sulfur compounds that have been shown to alter the expression of key tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, and oncogenic miRNAs through modulation of DNA methylation and histones in cancer. In addition to vitamins and microelements, dietary phytochemicals such as sulforaphane, PEITC, BITC, DADS, and allicin are among a growing list of naturally occurring anticancer agents that have been studied as an alternative strategy for cancer treatment and prevention. Moreover, these bioactive organo-sulfur compounds, either alone or in combination with other standard cancer drugs or phytochemicals, showed promising results against many cancers. Here, we particularly summarize and focus on the impact of specific organo-sulfur compounds on DNA methylation and histone modifications through targeting the expression of different DNMTs and HDACs that are of particular interest in cancer therapy and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoaib Shoaib
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mohammad Azam Ansari
- Department of Epidemic Disease Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Ghazwani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Umme Hani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yahya F. Jamous
- Vaccine and Bioprocessing Center, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zahraa Alali
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 31991, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shadma Wahab
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wasim Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sydney A. Weir
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Mohammad N. Alomary
- National Centre for Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (M.N.A.); (N.I.)
| | - Nabiha Yusuf
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Najmul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202001, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Correspondence: (M.N.A.); (N.I.)
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Hill CR, Shafaei A, Balmer L, Lewis JR, Hodgson JM, Millar AH, Blekkenhorst LC. Sulfur compounds: From plants to humans and their role in chronic disease prevention. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 63:8616-8638. [PMID: 35380479 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2057915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur is essential for the health of plants and is an indispensable dietary component for human health and disease prevention. Its incorporation into our food supply is heavily reliant upon the uptake of sulfur into plant tissue and our subsequent intake. Dietary requirements for sulfur are largely calculated based upon requirements for the sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA), cysteine and methionine, to meet the demands for synthesis of proteins, enzymes, co-enzymes, vitamins, and hormones. SAA are found in abundance in animal sources and are relatively low in plants. However, some plants, particularly cruciferous and allium vegetables, produce many protective sulfur-containing secondary metabolites, such as glucosinolates and cysteine sulfoxides. The variety and quantity of these sulfur-containing metabolites are extensive and their effects on human health are wide-reaching. Many benefits appear to be related to sulfur's role in redox biochemistry, protecting against uncontrolled oxidative stress and inflammation; features consistent within cardiometabolic dysfunction and many chronic metabolic diseases of aging. This narrative explores the origins and importance of sulfur, its incorporation into our food supply and dietary sources. It also explores the overarching potential of sulfur for human health, particularly around the amelioration of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, and subsequent chronic disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline R Hill
- Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
- Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation, Perth, Australia
| | - Armaghan Shafaei
- Centre for Integrative Metabolomics and Computational Biology, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Lois Balmer
- Centre for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
- Centre for Diabetes Research, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Joshua R Lewis
- Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
- Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation, Perth, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
- Centre for Kidney Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Hodgson
- Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
- Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation, Perth, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - A Harvey Millar
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Lauren C Blekkenhorst
- Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
- Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation, Perth, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
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Nowicki D, Krause K, Karczewska M, Szalewska-Pałasz A. Evaluation of the Anti-Shigellosis Activity of Dietary Isothiocyanates in Galleria mellonella Larvae. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13113967. [PMID: 34836222 PMCID: PMC8625812 DOI: 10.3390/nu13113967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cruciferous vegetables, widely present in daily diets, are a rich source of organosulfur compounds with proven health benefits, especially chemopreventive or antioxidative effects. Isothiocyanate derivatives (ITCs) exhibit a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological activity and recently, their antibacterial properties have been of particular importance. Here, we have focused on the anti-shigellosis activity of sulforaphane (SFN) and phenethyl ITC (PEITC). The genus Shigella causes gastroenteritis in humans, which constitutes a threat to public health. Production of a potent Stx toxin by S. dysenteriae type 1 results not only in more severe symptoms but also in serious sequela, including the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Here, we present evidence that two aliphatic and aromatic ITCs derivatives, SFN and PEITC, have an effective antibacterial potency against S. dysenteriae, also negatively regulating the stx gene expression. The molecular mechanism of this effect involves induction of the global stress-induced stringent response. ITCs also inhibit bacterial virulence against the Vero and HeLa cells. We present evidence for the therapeutic effect of sulforaphane and phenethyl ITC against a S. dysenteriae infection in the Galleria mellonella larvae model. Thus, our results indicate that isothiocyanates can be effectively used to combat dangerous bacterial infections.
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