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Bendary MM, Ali MAM, Abdel Halim AS, Boufahja F, Chaudhary AA, Elkelish A, Soliman RHM, Hegazy WAH. Investigating Sulforaphane's anti-virulence and anti-quorum sensing properties against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1406653. [PMID: 38835668 PMCID: PMC11148281 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1406653] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background P. aeruginosa, a significant bacterium, can cause severe illness and resistance to antibiotics. Quorum sensing (QS) systems regulate virulence factors production. Targeting QS could reduce bacteria pathogenicity and prevent antibiotic resistance. Cruciferous vegetables contain sulforaphane, known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. Aim We aimed to examine the inhibitory influences of sulforaphane, at a sub-inhibitory concentration (¼ minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC), on virulence and QS in P. aeruginosa. Materials and methods The sulforaphane's anti-virulence actions at sub-inhibitory concentrations were explored in vitro and in vivo. A sub-MIC concentration of sulforaphane was combined with anti-pseudomonal drugs, and the results of this combination were assessed. The virtual affinity of sulforaphane for the receptors of QS was studied, and its effect on the expression of QS genes was quantified. Results Sulforaphane significantly decreased the biofilm formation, motility, ability to withstand oxidative stress, and the synthesis of virulence extracellular enzymes such as proteases, hemolysins, and elastase, as well as other virulence factors like pyocyanin. In addition, sulforaphane lessened the severity of P. aeruginosa infection in mice. Sulforaphane reduced the antipseudomonal antibiotics' MICs when used together, resulting in synergistic effects. The observed anti-virulence impacts were attributed to the ability of sulforaphane to inhibit QS via suppressing the QS genes' expression. Conclusion Sulforaphane shows promise as a potent anti-virulence and anti-QS agent that can be used alongside conventional antimicrobials to manage severe infections effectively. Furthermore, this study paves the way for further investigation of sulforaphane and similar structures as pharmacophores for anti-QS candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud M Bendary
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A M Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alyaa S Abdel Halim
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Fehmi Boufahja
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anis Ahmad Chaudhary
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amr Elkelish
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Rania H M Soliman
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Wael A H Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat, Oman
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Fathallah N, Elkady WM, Zahran SA, Darwish KM, Elhady SS, Elkhawas YA. Unveiling the Multifaceted Capabilities of Endophytic Aspergillus flavus Isolated from Annona squamosa Fruit Peels against Staphylococcus Isolates and HCoV 229E-In Vitro and In Silico Investigations. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:656. [PMID: 38794226 PMCID: PMC11124496 DOI: 10.3390/ph17050656] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been a surge towards searching for primitive treatment strategies to discover novel therapeutic approaches against multi-drug-resistant pathogens. Endophytes are considered unexplored yet perpetual sources of several secondary metabolites with therapeutic significance. This study aims to isolate and identify the endophytic fungi from Annona squamosa L. fruit peels using morphological, microscopical, and transcribed spacer (ITS-rDNA) sequence analysis; extract the fungus's secondary metabolites by ethyl acetate; investigate the chemical profile using UPLC/MS; and evaluate the potential antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antiviral activities. An endophytic fungus was isolated and identified as Aspergillus flavus L. from the fruit peels. The UPLC/MS revealed seven compounds with various chemical classes. The antimicrobial activity of the fungal ethyl acetate extract (FEA) was investigated against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative standard strains, in addition to resistant clinical isolates using the agar diffusion method. The CPE-inhibition assay was used to identify the potential antiviral activity of the crude fungal extract against low pathogenic human coronavirus (HCoV 229E). Selective Gram-positive antibacterial and antibiofilm activities were evident, demonstrating pronounced efficacy against both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). However, the extract exhibited very weak activity against Gram-negative bacterial strains. The ethyl acetate extract of Aspergillus flavus L exhibited an interesting antiviral activity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 27.2 µg/mL against HCoV 229E. Furthermore, in silico virtual molecular docking-coupled dynamics simulation highlighted the promising affinity of the identified metabolite, orienting towards three MRSA biotargets and HCoV 229E main protease as compared to reported reference inhibitors/substrates. Finally, ADME analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential oral bioavailability of the identified metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha Fathallah
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt;
| | - Wafaa M. Elkady
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt;
| | - Sara A. Zahran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt;
| | - Khaled M. Darwish
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt;
| | - Sameh S. Elhady
- King Abdulaziz University Herbarium, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Center for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasmin A. Elkhawas
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt;
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Elfaky MA, Okairy HM, Abdallah HM, Koshak AE, Mohamed GA, Ibrahim SR, Alzain AA, Hegazy WA, Khafagy ES, Seleem NM. Assessing the antibacterial potential of 6-gingerol: Combined experimental and computational approaches. Saudi Pharm J 2024; 32:102041. [PMID: 38558886 PMCID: PMC10981156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2024.102041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The rise of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is becoming a global concern, particularly due to the dwindling supply of new antibiotics. This situation mandates the discovery of new antimicrobial candidates. Plant-derived natural compounds have historically played a crucial role in the development of antibiotics, serving as a rich source of substances possessing antimicrobial properties. Numerous studies have supported the reputation of 6-gingerol, a prominent compound found in the ginger family, for its antibacterial properties. In this study, the antibacterial activities of 6-gingerol were evaluated against Gram-negative bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with a particular focus on the clinically significant Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the anti-virulence activities were assessed in vitro, in vivo, and in silico. The current findings showed that 6-gingerol's antibacterial activity is due to its significant effect on the disruption of the bacterial cell membrane and efflux pumps, as it significantly decreased the efflux and disrupted the cell membrane of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, 6-gingerol significantly decreased the biofilm formation and production of virulence factors in S. aureus and P. aeruginosa in concentrations below MICs. The anti-virulence properties of 6-gingerol could be attributed to its capacity to disrupt bacterial virulence-regulating systems; quorum sensing (QS). 6-Gingerol was found to interact with QS receptors and downregulate the genes responsible for QS. In addition, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results indicated that 6-gingerol showed a comparable binding affinity to the co-crystalized ligands of different P. aeruginosa QS targets as well as stable interactions during 100 ns MD simulations. These findings suggest that 6-gingerol holds promise as an anti-virulence agent that can be combined with antibiotics for the treatment of severe infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A. Elfaky
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan M. Okairy
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hossam M. Abdallah
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman E. Koshak
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gamal A. Mohamed
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sabrin R.M. Ibrahim
- Preparatory Year Program, Department of Chemistry, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Abdulrahim A. Alzain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Madani 21111, Sudan
| | - Wael A.H. Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
| | - El-Sayed Khafagy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Noura M. Seleem
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
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Al-Rabia MW, Asfour HZ, Alhakamy NA, Abdulaal WH, Ibrahim TS, Abbas HA, Salem IM, Hegazy WAH, Nazeih SI. Thymoquinone is a natural antibiofilm and pathogenicity attenuating agent in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1382289. [PMID: 38638827 PMCID: PMC11024287 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1382289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa belongs to the critical pathogens that represent a global public health problem due to their high rate of resistance as listed by WHO. P. aeruginosa can result in many nosocomial infections especially in individuals with compromised immune systems. Attenuating virulence factors by interference with quorum sensing (QS) systems is a promising approach to treat P. aeruginosa-resistant infections. Thymoquinone is a natural compound isolated from Nigella sativa (black seed) essential oil. In this study, the minimum inhibitory concentration of thymoquinone was detected followed by investigating the antibiofilm and antivirulence activities of the subinhibitory concentration of thymoquinone against P. aeruginosa PAO1. The effect of thymoquinone on the expression of QS genes was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR, and the protective effect of thymoquinone against the pathogenesis of PAO1 in mice was detected by the mouse survival test. Thymoquinone significantly inhibited biofilm, pyocyanin, protease activity, and swarming motility. At the molecular level, thymoquinone markedly downregulated QS genes lasI, lasR, rhlI, and rhlR. Moreover, thymoquinone could protect mice from the pathologic effects of P. aeruginosa increasing mouse survival from 20% to 100%. In conclusion, thymoquinone is a promising natural agent that can be used as an adjunct therapeutic agent with antibiotics to attenuate the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed W. Al-Rabia
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hani Z. Asfour
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabil A. Alhakamy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Mohamed Saeed Tamer Chair for Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wesam H. Abdulaal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Cancer and Mutagenesis Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tarek S. Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hisham A. Abbas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M. Salem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sphinx University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Wael A. H. Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat, Oman
| | - Shaimaa I. Nazeih
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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5
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Cui R, Zhang J, Liu X, Hu C, Zhou F, Zhang M, Wang X, Zou Q, Huang W. Dronedarone Enhances the Antibacterial Activity of Polymyxin B and Inhibits the Quorum Sensing System by Interacting with LuxS. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:961-970. [PMID: 38317424 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00591] [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: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is considered an appealing target for interference with bacterial infections. β-Adrenergic blockers are promising anti-QS agents but do not have antibacterial activity. We assessed the potential ability of adrenergic receptor inhibitors to enhance the antibacterial activity of polymyxin B (PB) against Klebsiella pneumoniae and determined that dronedarone has the most potent activity both in vitro and in vivo. We found that dronedarone increases the thermal stability of LuxS, decreases the production of AI-2, and affects the biofilm formation of K. pneumoniae. We also identified the direct binding of dronedarone to LuxS. However, the mechanism by which dronedarone enhances the antibacterial activity of PB has not been elucidated and is worthy of further exploration. Our study provides a basis for the future development of drug combination regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqin Cui
- Antimicrobial Drug Screening Laboratory, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, China
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong China
| | - Jinyong Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xiaodi Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong China
| | - Chunxia Hu
- Antimicrobial Drug Screening Laboratory, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, China
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong China
| | - Fan Zhou
- Antimicrobial Drug Screening Laboratory, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, China
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong China
| | - Min Zhang
- Antimicrobial Drug Screening Laboratory, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong China
| | - Quanming Zou
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong China
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6
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Jia S, Wang X, Wang G, Wang X. Mechanism and application of β-adrenoceptor blockers in soft tissue wound healing. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:422-452. [PMID: 37470332 DOI: 10.1002/med.21984] [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: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Soft tissue damage stimulates sympathetic nerves to release large amounts of catecholamine hormones which bind to β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) on the cell membrane surface. It activates the downstream effector molecules and impairs soft tissue wound healing. β-blockers specifically inhibit β-ARs activation in acute/chronic skin lesions and ulcerative hemangiomas. They also accelerate soft tissue wound healing by shortening the duration of inflammation, speeding keratinocyte migration and reepithelialization, promoting wound contraction and angiogenesis, and inhibiting bacterial virulence effects. In addition, β-blockers shorten wound healing periods in patients with severe thermal damage by reducing the hypermetabolic response. While β-blockers promote/inhibit corneal epithelial cell regeneration and restores limbal stem/progenitor cells function, it could well accelerate/delay corneal wound healing. Given these meaningful effects, a growing number of studies are focused on examining the efficacy and safety of β-blockers in soft tissue wound repair, including acute and chronic wounds, severe thermal damage, ulcerated infantile hemangioma, corneal wounds, and other soft tissue disorders. However, an intensive investigation on their acting mechanisms is imperatively needed. The purpose of this article is to summerize the roles of β-blockers in soft tissue wound healing and explore their clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Jia
- Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
- School of Stomatology, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueya Wang
- Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
- School of Stomatology, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Guowei Wang
- Department of Stomatology, No. 971 Hospital of the Chinese Navy, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
- School of Stomatology, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
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7
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Koh CMM, Ping LSY, Xuan CHH, Theng LB, San HS, Palombo EA, Wezen XC. A data-driven machine learning approach for discovering potent LasR inhibitors. Bioengineered 2023; 14:2243416. [PMID: 37552115 PMCID: PMC10411317 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2023.2243416] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The rampant spread of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains severely threatens global health. This severity is compounded against the backdrop of a stagnating antibiotics development pipeline. Moreover, with many promising therapeutics falling short of expectations in clinical trials, targeting the las quorum sensing (QS) system remains an attractive therapeutic strategy to combat P. aeruginosa infection. Thus, our primary goal was to develop a drug prediction algorithm using machine learning to identify potent LasR inhibitors. In this work, we demonstrated using a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) algorithm boosted with AdaBoostM1 to discriminate between active and inactive LasR inhibitors. The optimal model performance was evaluated using 5-fold cross-validation and test sets. Our best model achieved a 90.7% accuracy in distinguishing active from inactive LasR inhibitors, an area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve value of 0.95, and a Matthews correlation coefficient value of 0.81 when evaluated using test sets. Subsequently, we deployed the model against the Enamine database. The top-ranked compounds were further evaluated for their target engagement activity using molecular docking studies, Molecular Dynamics simulations, MM-GBSA analysis, and Free Energy Landscape analysis. Our data indicate that several of our chosen top hits showed better ligand-binding affinities than naringenin, a competitive LasR inhibitor. Among the six top hits, five of these compounds were predicted to be LasR inhibitors that could be used to treat P. aeruginosa-associated infections. To our knowledge, this study provides the first assessment of using an MLP-based QSAR model for discovering potent LasR inhibitors to attenuate P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christabel Ming Ming Koh
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Lilian Siaw Yung Ping
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Christopher Ha Heng Xuan
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Lau Bee Theng
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Hwang Siaw San
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Enzo A. Palombo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xavier Chee Wezen
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
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Alotaibi HF, Alotaibi H, Darwish KM, Khafagy ES, Abu Lila AS, Ali MAM, Hegazy WAH, Alshawwa SZ. The Anti-Virulence Activities of the Antihypertensive Drug Propranolol in Light of Its Anti-Quorum Sensing Effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3161. [PMID: 38137382 PMCID: PMC10741015 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123161] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of bacterial resistance is an increasing global concern that requires discovering new antibacterial agents and strategies. Bacterial quorum sensing (QS) systems play important roles in controlling bacterial virulence, and their targeting could lead to diminishing bacterial pathogenesis. In this context, targeting QS systems without significant influence on bacterial growth is assumed as a promising strategy to overcome resistance development. This study aimed at evaluating the anti-QS and anti-virulence activities of the β-adrenoreceptor antagonist propranolol at sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) against two Gram-negative bacterial models Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens. The effect of propranolol on the expression of QS-encoding genes was evaluated. Additionally, the affinity of propranolol to QS receptors was virtually attested. The influence of propranolol at sub-MIC on biofilm formation, motility, and production of virulent factors was conducted. The outcomes of the propranolol combination with different antibiotics were assessed. Finally, the in vivo protection assay in mice was performed to assess propranolol's effect on lessening the bacterial pathogenesis. The current findings emphasized the significant ability of propranolol at sub-MIC to reduce the formation of biofilms, motility, and production of virulence factors. In addition, propranolol at sub-MIC decreased the capacity of tested bacteria to induce pathogenesis in mice. Furthermore, propranolol significantly downregulated the QS-encoding genes and showed significant affinity to QS receptors. Finally, propranolol at sub-MIC synergistically decreased the MICs of different antibiotics against tested bacteria. In conclusion, propranolol might serve as a plausible adjuvant therapy with antibiotics for the treatment of serious bacterial infections after further pharmacological and pharmaceutical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadil Faris Alotaibi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haifa Alotaibi
- Department of Family Medicine, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh 12624, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled M. Darwish
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - El-Sayed Khafagy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Amr S. Abu Lila
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Therapeutics Unit, University of Hail, Hail 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. M. Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Wael A. H. Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
| | - Samar Zuhair Alshawwa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
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9
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Behairy MY, Eid RA, Otifi HM, Mohammed HM, Alshehri MA, Asiri A, Aldehri M, Zaki MSA, Darwish KM, Elhady SS, El-Shaer NH, Eldeen MA. Unraveling Extremely Damaging IRAK4 Variants and Their Potential Implications for IRAK4 Inhibitor Efficacy. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1648. [PMID: 38138875 PMCID: PMC10744719 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13121648] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-1-receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) possesses a crucial function in the toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway, and the dysfunction of this molecule could lead to various infectious and immune-related diseases in addition to cancers. IRAK4 genetic variants have been linked to various types of diseases. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis to recognize the missense variants with the most damaging impacts on IRAK4 with the employment of diverse bioinformatics tools to study single-nucleotide polymorphisms' effects on function, stability, secondary structures, and 3D structure. The residues' location on the protein domain and their conservation status were investigated as well. Moreover, docking tools along with structural biology were engaged in analyzing the SNPs' effects on one of the developed IRAK4 inhibitors. By analyzing IRAK4 gene SNPs, the analysis distinguished ten variants as the most detrimental missense variants. All variants were situated in highly conserved positions on an important protein domain. L318S and L318F mutations were linked to changes in IRAK4 secondary structures. Eight SNPs were revealed to have a decreasing effect on the stability of IRAK4 via both I-Mutant 2.0 and Mu-Pro tools, while Mu-Pro tool identified a decreasing effect for the G198E SNP. In addition, detrimental effects on the 3D structure of IRAK4 were also discovered for the selected variants. Molecular modeling studies highlighted the detrimental impact of these identified SNP mutant residues on the druggability of the IRAK4 ATP-binding site towards the known target inhibitor, HG-12-6, as compared to the native protein. The loss of important ligand residue-wise contacts, altered protein global flexibility, increased steric clashes, and even electronic penalties at the ligand-binding site interfaces were all suggested to be associated with SNP models for hampering the HG-12-6 affinity towards IRAK4 target protein. This given model lays the foundation for the better prediction of various disorders relevant to IRAK4 malfunction and sheds light on the impact of deleterious IRAK4 variants on IRAK4 inhibitor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Y. Behairy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Sadat City 32897, Egypt;
| | - Refaat A. Eid
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha P.O. Box 61421, Saudi Arabia; (R.A.E.); (H.M.O.)
| | - Hassan M. Otifi
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha P.O. Box 61421, Saudi Arabia; (R.A.E.); (H.M.O.)
| | - Heitham M. Mohammed
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha P.O. Box 61421, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.M.); (M.A.); (M.S.A.Z.)
| | - Mohammed A. Alshehri
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha P.O. Box 62529, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.A.)
| | - Ashwag Asiri
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha P.O. Box 62529, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.A.)
| | - Majed Aldehri
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha P.O. Box 61421, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.M.); (M.A.); (M.S.A.Z.)
| | - Mohamed Samir A. Zaki
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha P.O. Box 61421, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.M.); (M.A.); (M.S.A.Z.)
| | - Khaled M. Darwish
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt;
| | - Sameh S. Elhady
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Nahla H. El-Shaer
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt;
| | - Muhammad Alaa Eldeen
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt;
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10
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Nazeih SI, Ali MAM, Halim ASA, Al-Lawati H, Abbas HA, Al-Zharani M, Boufahja F, Alghamdi MA, Hegazy WAH, Seleem NM. Relocating Glyceryl Trinitrate as an Anti-Virulence Agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens: Insights from Molecular and In Vivo Investigations. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2420. [PMID: 37894078 PMCID: PMC10609227 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The problem of antibiotic resistance is a global critical public health concern. In light of the threat of returning to the pre-antibiotic era, new alternative approaches are required such as quorum-sensing (QS) disruption and virulence inhibition, both of which apply no discernible selective pressure on bacteria, therefore mitigating the potential for the development of resistant strains. Bearing in mind the significant role of QS in orchestrating bacterial virulence, disrupting QS becomes essential for effectively diminishing bacterial virulence. This study aimed to assess the potential use of sub-inhibitory concentration (0.25 mg/mL) of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) to inhibit virulence in Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. GTN could decrease the expression of virulence genes in both tested bacteria in a significant manner. Histopathological study revealed the ability of GTN to alleviate the congestion in hepatic and renal tissues of infected mice and to reduce bacterial and leukocyte infiltration. This study recommends the use of topical GTN to treat topical infection caused by P. aeruginosa and S. marcescens in combination with antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa I. Nazeih
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt; (S.I.N.); (H.A.A.); (N.M.S.)
| | - Mohamed A. M. Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.M.A.); (F.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo 11566, Egypt;
| | - Alyaa S. Abdel Halim
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo 11566, Egypt;
| | - Hanan Al-Lawati
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutics, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman;
| | - Hisham A. Abbas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt; (S.I.N.); (H.A.A.); (N.M.S.)
| | - Mohammed Al-Zharani
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.M.A.); (F.B.)
| | - Fehmi Boufahja
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.M.A.); (F.B.)
| | - Mashael A. Alghamdi
- Department of Chemistry, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Wael A. H. Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt; (S.I.N.); (H.A.A.); (N.M.S.)
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
| | - Noura M. Seleem
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt; (S.I.N.); (H.A.A.); (N.M.S.)
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11
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Man Chin C, Dos Santos JL. Special Issue "Drug Candidates for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases". Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1257. [PMID: 37765065 PMCID: PMC10534658 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases encompass a range of conditions stemming from parasites [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung Man Chin
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, State University of São Paulo (Unesp), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
- Union of the Colleges of the Great Lakes (UNILAGO), School of Medicine, São José do Rio Preto 15030-070, Brazil
| | - Jean Leandro Dos Santos
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, State University of São Paulo (Unesp), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
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12
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Elhady SS, Alshobaki NM, Elfaky MA, Koshak AE, Alharbi M, Abdelhameed RFA, Darwish KM. Deciphering Molecular Aspects of Potential α-Glucosidase Inhibitors within Aspergillus terreus: A Computational Odyssey of Molecular Docking-Coupled Dynamics Simulations and Pharmacokinetic Profiling. Metabolites 2023; 13:942. [PMID: 37623885 PMCID: PMC10456934 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13080942] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperglycemia, as a hallmark of the metabolic malady diabetes mellitus, has been an overwhelming healthcare burden owing to its high rates of comorbidity and mortality, as well as prospective complications affecting different body organs. Available therapeutic agents, with α-glucosidase inhibitors as one of their cornerstone arsenal, control stages of broad glycemia while showing definitive characteristics related to their low clinical efficiency and off-target complications. This has propelled the academia and industrial section into discovering novel and safer candidates. Herein, we provided a thorough computational exploration of identifying candidates from the marine-derived Aspergillus terreus isolates. Combined structural- and ligand-based approaches using a chemical library of 275 metabolites were adopted for pinpointing promising α-glucosidase inhibitors, as well as providing guiding insights for further lead optimization and development. Structure-based virtual screening through escalating precision molecular docking protocol at the α-glucosidase canonical pocket identified 11 promising top-docked hits, with several being superior to the market drug reference, acarbose. Comprehensive ligand-based investigations of these hits' pharmacokinetics ADME profiles, physiochemical characterizations, and obedience to the gold standard Lipinski's rule of five, as well as toxicity and mutagenicity profiling, proceeded. Under explicit conditions, a molecular dynamics simulation identified the top-stable metabolites: butyrolactone VI (SK-44), aspulvinone E (SK-55), butyrolactone I 4''''-sulfate (SK-72), and terrelumamide B (SK-173). They depicted the highest free binding energies and steadiest thermodynamic behavior. Moreover, great structural insights have been revealed, including the advent of an aromatic scaffold-based interaction for ligand-target complex stability. The significance of introducing balanced hydrophobic/polar moieties, like triazole and other bioisosteres of carboxylic acid, has been highlighted across docking, ADME/Tox profiling, and molecular dynamics studies for maximizing binding interactions while assuring safety and optimal pharmacokinetics for targeting the intestinal-localized α-glucosidase enzyme. Overall, this study provided valuable starting points for developing new α-glucosidase inhibitors based on nature-derived unique scaffolds, as well as guidance for prospective lead optimization and development within future pre-clinical and clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameh S. Elhady
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (N.M.A.); (M.A.E.); (A.E.K.)
| | - Noha M. Alshobaki
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (N.M.A.); (M.A.E.); (A.E.K.)
| | - Mahmoud A. Elfaky
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (N.M.A.); (M.A.E.); (A.E.K.)
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman E. Koshak
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (N.M.A.); (M.A.E.); (A.E.K.)
| | - Majed Alharbi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Reda F. A. Abdelhameed
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Galala University, New Galala 43713, Egypt;
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Khaled M. Darwish
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
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13
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Rajab AAH, Hegazy WAH. What’s old is new again: Insights into diabetic foot microbiome. World J Diabetes 2023; 14:680-704. [PMID: 37383589 PMCID: PMC10294069 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v14.i6.680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes is a chronic disease that is considered one of the most stubborn global health problems that continues to defy the efforts of scientists and physicians. The prevalence of diabetes in the global population continues to grow to alarming levels year after year, causing an increase in the incidence of diabetes complications and health care costs all over the world. One major complication of diabetes is the high susceptibility to infections especially in the lower limbs due to the immunocompromised state of diabetic patients, which is considered a definitive factor in all cases. Diabetic foot infections continue to be one of the most common infections in diabetic patients that are associated with a high risk of serious complications such as bone infection, limb amputations, and life-threatening systemic infections. In this review, we discussed the circumstances associated with the high risk of infection in diabetic patients as well as some of the most commonly isolated pathogens from diabetic foot infections and the related virulence behavior. In addition, we shed light on the different treatment strategies that aim at eradicating the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza A H Rajab
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagzig 44511, Egypt
| | - Wael A H Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagzig 44511, Egypt
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14
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Kim D, Park KW, Park JT, Choi I. Photoactive MOF-Derived Bimetallic Silver and Cobalt Nanocomposite with Enhanced Antibacterial Activity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:22903-22914. [PMID: 36996415 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c01529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Conventional antibiotic-based treatment of bacterial infections remains one of the most difficult challenges in medicine because of the threat of multidrug resistance caused by indiscriminate abuse. To solve these problems, it is essential to develop an effective antibacterial agent that can be used at a small dose while minimizing the occurrence of multiple resistance. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are hyper-porous hybrid materials containing metal ions linked by organic ligands, have recently attracted attention because of their strong antibacterial activity through metal-ion release, unlike conventional antibiotics. In this study, we developed a photoactive MOF-derived cobalt-silver bimetallic nanocomposite (Ag@CoMOF) by simply depositing silver nanoparticles on a cobalt-based MOF through nanoscale galvanic replacement. The nanocomposite structure continuously releases antibacterial metal ions (i.e., Ag and Co ions) in the aqueous phase and exhibits a strong photothermal conversion effect of Ag nanoparticles, accompanied by a rapid temperature increase of 25-80 °C under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Using this MOF-based bimetallic nanocomposite, superior antibacterial activities were achieved by 22.1-fold for Escherichia coli and 18.3-fold for Bacillus subtilis enhanced inhibition of bacterial growth in a liquid culture environment compared with the generally used chemical antibiotics. In addition, we confirmed the synergistic enhancement of the antibacterial ability of the bimetallic nanocomposite induced by NIR-triggered photothermal heating and bacterial membrane disruption even when using a small amount of the nanocomposites. We envision that this novel antibacterial agent using MOF-based nanostructures will replace traditional antibiotics to circumvent multidrug resistance and present a new approach to antibiotic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doyun Kim
- Department of Life Science, University of Seoul, 163, Seoulsiripdae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
| | - Kun Woo Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Tae Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Inhee Choi
- Department of Life Science, University of Seoul, 163, Seoulsiripdae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
- Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Seoul, 163, Seoulsiripdae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
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15
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Khayat MT, Abbas HA, Ibrahim TS, Elbaramawi SS, Khayyat AN, Alharbi M, Hegazy WAH, Yehia FAZA. Synergistic Benefits: Exploring the Anti-Virulence Effects of Metformin/Vildagliptin Antidiabetic Combination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa via Controlling Quorum Sensing Systems. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051442. [PMID: 37239113 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The repurposing of drugs is one of the most competent strategies for discovering new antimicrobial agents. Vildagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPI-4) that is used effectively in combination with metformin to control blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-virulence activities of this combination against one of the most clinically important pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The current findings show a significant ability of the vildagliptin-metformin combination to diminish biofilm formation, bacterial motility, and the production of virulent extracellular enzymes and pyocyanin pigment. Furthermore, this drug combination significantly increased the susceptibility of P. aeruginosa to oxidative stress, indicating immunity enhancement in the eradication of bacterial cells. In compliance with the in vitro findings, the histopathological photomicrographs of mice showed a considerable protective effect of the metformin-vildagliptin combination against P. aeruginosa, revealing relief of inflammation due to P. aeruginosa-induced pathogenesis. P. aeruginosa mainly employs quorum sensing (QS) systems to control the production of its huge arsenal of virulence factors. The anti-virulence activities of the metformin-vildagliptin combination can be interrupted by the anti-QS activities of both metformin and vildagliptin, as both exhibited a considerable affinity to QS receptors. Additionally, the metformin-vildagliptin combination significantly downregulated the expression of the main three QS-encoding genes in P. aeruginosa. These findings show the significant anti-virulence activities of metformin-vildagliptin at very low concentrations (10, 1.25 mg/mL, respectively) compared to the concentrations (850, 50 mg/mL, respectively) used to control diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maan T Khayat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hisham A Abbas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Tarek S Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samar S Elbaramawi
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Ahdab N Khayyat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majed Alharbi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael A H Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
| | - Fatma Al-Zahraa A Yehia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
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16
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Elfaky MA, Elbaramawi SS, Eissa AG, Ibrahim TS, Khafagy ES, Ali MAM, Hegazy WAH. Drug repositioning: doxazosin attenuates the virulence factors and biofilm formation in Gram-negative bacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:3763-3778. [PMID: 37079062 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12522-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
The resistance development is an increasing global health risk that needs innovative solutions. Repurposing drugs to serve as anti-virulence agents is suggested as an advantageous strategy to diminish bacterial resistance development. Bacterial virulence is controlled by quorum sensing (QS) system that orchestrates the expression of biofilm formation, motility, and virulence factors production as enzymes and virulent pigments. Interfering with QS could lead to bacterial virulence mitigation without affecting bacterial growth that does not result in bacterial resistance development. This study investigated the probable anti-virulence and anti-QS activities of α-adrenoreceptor blocker doxazosin against Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Besides in silico study, in vitro and in vivo investigations were conducted to assess the doxazosin anti-virulence actions. Doxazosin significantly diminished the biofilm formation and release of QS-controlled Chromobacterium violaceum pigment and virulence factors in P. aeruginosa and P. mirabilis, and downregulated the QS encoding genes in P. aeruginosa. Virtually, doxazosin interfered with QS proteins, and in vivo protected mice against P. mirabilis and P. aeruginosa. The role of the membranal sensors as QseC and PmrA was recognized in enhancing the Gram-negative virulence. Doxazosin downregulated the membranal sensors PmR and QseC encoding genes and could in silico interfere with them. In conclusion, this study preliminary documents the probable anti-QS and anti-virulence activities of doxazosin, which indicate its possible application as an alternative or in addition to antibiotics. However, extended toxicological and pharmacological investigations are essential to approve the feasible clinical application of doxazosin as novel efficient anti-virulence agent. KEY POINTS: • Anti-hypertensive doxazosin acquires anti-quorum sensing activities • Doxazosin diminishes the virulence of Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa • Doxazosin could dimmish the bacterial espionage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A Elfaky
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Samar S Elbaramawi
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Ahmed G Eissa
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Tarek S Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - El-Sayed Khafagy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A M Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, 11432, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, 11566, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wael A H Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt.
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat, 113, Oman.
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Soltan MA, Eldeen MA, Sajer BH, Abdelhameed RFA, Al-Salmi FA, Fayad E, Jafri I, Ahmed HEM, Eid RA, Hassan HM, Al-Shraim M, Negm A, Noreldin AE, Darwish KM. Integration of Chemoinformatics and Multi-Omics Analysis Defines ECT2 as a Potential Target for Cancer Drug Therapy. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040613. [PMID: 37106813 PMCID: PMC10135641 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial cell transforming 2 (ECT2) is a potential oncogene and a number of recent studies have correlated it with the progression of several human cancers. Despite this elevated attention for ECT2 in oncology-related reports, there is no collective study to combine and integrate the expression and oncogenic behavior of ECT2 in a panel of human cancers. The current study started with a differential expression analysis of ECT2 in cancerous versus normal tissue. Following that, the study asked for the correlation between ECT2 upregulation and tumor stage, grade, and metastasis, along with its effect on patient survival. Moreover, the methylation and phosphorylation status of ECT2 in tumor versus normal tissue was assessed, in addition to the investigation of the ECT2 effect on the immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. The current study revealed that ECT2 was upregulated as mRNA and protein levels in a list of human tumors, a feature that allowed for the increased filtration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and decreased the level of natural killer T (NKT) cells, which ultimately led to a poor prognosis survival. Lastly, we screened for several drugs that could inhibit ECT2 and act as antitumor agents. Collectively, this study nominated ECT2 as a prognostic and immunological biomarker, with reported inhibitors that represent potential antitumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Soltan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, Ismailia 41611, Egypt
| | - Muhammad Alaa Eldeen
- Cell Biology, Histology & Genetics Division, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Bayan H Sajer
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80200, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reda F A Abdelhameed
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Galala University, New Galala 43713, Egypt
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Fawziah A Al-Salmi
- Biology Department, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Fayad
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Jafri
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Refaat A Eid
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 62529, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hesham M Hassan
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 62529, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Mubarak Al-Shraim
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 62529, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amr Negm
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Ahmed E Noreldin
- Department of Histology and Cytology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22516, Egypt
| | - Khaled M Darwish
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
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Khayat MT, Elbaramawi SS, Nazeih SI, Safo MK, Khafagy ES, Ali MAM, Abbas HA, Hegazy WAH, Seleem NM. Diminishing the Pathogenesis of the Food-Borne Pathogen Serratia marcescens by Low Doses of Sodium Citrate. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040504. [PMID: 37106705 PMCID: PMC10135860 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Protecting food from bacterial contamination is crucial for ensuring its safety and avoiding foodborne illness. Serratia marcescens is one of the food bacterial contaminants that can form biofilms and pigments that spoil the food product and could cause infections and illness to the consumer. Food preservation is essential to diminish such bacterial contaminants or at least reduce their pathogenesis; however, it should not affect food odor, taste, and consistency and must be safe. Sodium citrate is a well-known safe food additive and the current study aims to evaluate its anti-virulence and anti-biofilm activity at low concentrations against S. marcescens. The anti-virulence and antibiofilm activities of sodium citrate were evaluated phenotypically and genotypically. The results showed the significant effect of sodium citrate on decreasing the biofilm formation and other virulence factors, such as motility and the production of prodigiosin, protease, and hemolysins. This could be owed to its downregulating effect on the virulence-encoding genes. An in vivo investigation was conducted on mice and the histopathological examination of isolated tissues from the liver and kidney of mice confirmed the anti-virulence activity of sodium citrate. In addition, an in silico docking study was conducted to evaluate the sodium citrate binding ability to S. marcescens quorum sensing (QS) receptors that regulates its virulence. Sodium citrate showed a marked virtual ability to compete on QS proteins, which could explain sodium citrate’s anti-virulence effect. In conclusion, sodium citrate is a safe food additive and can be used at low concentrations to prevent contamination and biofilm formation by S. marcescens and other bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maan T. Khayat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (M.T.K.); (W.A.H.H.)
| | - Samar S. Elbaramawi
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa I. Nazeih
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Martin K. Safo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23219, USA
| | - El-Sayed Khafagy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41552, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. M. Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 11432, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Hisham A. Abbas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Wael A. H. Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
- Correspondence: (M.T.K.); (W.A.H.H.)
| | - Noura M. Seleem
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
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Abu Lila AS, Alharby TN, Alanazi J, Alanazi M, Abdallah MH, Rizvi SMD, Moin A, Khafagy ES, Tabrez S, Al Balushi AA, Hegazy WAH. Clinical Resistant Strains of Enterococci and Their Correlation to Reduced Susceptibility to Biocides: Phenotypic and Genotypic Analysis of Macrolides, Lincosamides, and Streptogramins. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12030461. [PMID: 36978327 PMCID: PMC10044631 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12030461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterococci are troublesome nosocomial, opportunistic Gram-positive cocci bacteria showing enhanced resistance to many commonly used antibiotics. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and genetic basis of antibiotic resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramins (MLS) in Enterococci, as well as the correlation between MLS resistance and biocide resistance. From 913 clinical isolates collected from King Khalid Hospital, Hail, Saudi Arabia, 131 isolates were identified as Enterococci spp. The susceptibility of the clinical enterococcal isolates to several MLS antibiotics was determined, and the resistance phenotype was detected by the triple disk method. The MLS-involved resistance genes were screened in the resistant isolates. The current results showed high resistance rates to MLS antibiotics, and the constitutive resistance to all MLS (cMLS) was the most prevalent phenotype, observed in 76.8% of resistant isolates. By screening the MLS resistance-encoding genes in the resistant isolates, the erythromycin ribosome methylase (erm) genes that are responsible for methylation of bacterial 23S rRNA were the most detected genes, in particular, ermB. The ereA esterase-encoding gene was the most detected MLS modifying-encoding genes, more than lnuA (adenylation) and mphC (phosphorylation). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of commonly used biocides were detected in resistant isolates and correlated with the MICs of MLS antibiotics. The present findings showed a significant correlation between MLS resistance and reduced susceptibility to biocides. In compliance with the high incidence of the efflux-encoding genes, especially mefA and mefE genes in the tolerant isolates with higher MICs to both MLS antibiotics and biocides, the efflux of resistant isolates was quantified, and there was a significant increase in the efflux of resistant isolates with higher MICs as compared to those with lower MICs. This could explain the crucial role of efflux in developing cross-resistance to both MLS antibiotics and biocides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Selim Abu Lila
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Correspondence: (A.S.A.L.); (W.A.H.H.)
| | - Tareq Nafea Alharby
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jowaher Alanazi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muteb Alanazi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marwa H. Abdallah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Syed Mohd Danish Rizvi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Afrasim Moin
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
| | - El-Sayed Khafagy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Shams Tabrez
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Ali Al Balushi
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutics, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
| | - Wael A. H. Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
- Correspondence: (A.S.A.L.); (W.A.H.H.)
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20
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Molecular and Biological Investigation of Isolated Marine Fungal Metabolites as Anticancer Agents: A Multi-Target Approach. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13020162. [PMID: 36837781 PMCID: PMC9964656 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13020162] [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: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death globally, with an increasing number of cases being annually reported. Nature-derived metabolites have been widely studied for their potential programmed necrosis, cytotoxicity, and anti-proliferation leading to enrichment for the modern medicine, particularly within the last couple of decades. At a more rapid pace, the concept of multi-target agents has evolved from being an innovative approach into a regular drug development procedure for hampering the multi-fashioned pathophysiology and high-resistance nature of cancer cells. With the advent of the Red Sea Penicillium chrysogenum strain S003-isolated indole-based alkaloids, we thoroughly investigated the molecular aspects for three major metabolites: meleagrin (MEL), roquefortine C (ROC), and isoroquefortine C (ISO) against three cancer-associated biological targets Cdc-25A, PTP-1B, and c-Met kinase. The study presented, for the first time, the detailed molecular insights and near-physiological affinity for these marine indole alkaloids against the assign targets through molecular docking-coupled all-atom dynamic simulation analysis. Findings highlighted the superiority of MEL's binding affinity/stability being quite in concordance with the in vitro anticancer activity profile conducted via sulforhodamine B bioassay on different cancerous cell lines reaching down to low micromolar or even nanomolar potencies. The advent of lengthy structural topologies via the metabolites' extended tetracyclic cores and aromatic imidazole arm permitted multi-pocket accommodation addressing the selectivity concerns. Additionally, the presence decorating polar functionalities on the core hydrophobic tetracyclic ring contributed compound's pharmacodynamic preferentiality. Introducing ionizable functionality with more lipophilic characters was highlighted to improve binding affinities which was also in concordance with the conducted drug-likeness/pharmacokinetic profiling for obtaining a balanced pharmacokinetic/dynamic profile. Our study adds to the knowledge regarding drug development and optimization of marine-isolated indole-based alkaloids for future iterative synthesis and pre-clinical investigations as multi-target anticancer agents.
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Lila ASA, Rajab AAH, Abdallah MH, Rizvi SMD, Moin A, Khafagy ES, Tabrez S, Hegazy WAH. Biofilm Lifestyle in Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:life13010148. [PMID: 36676100 PMCID: PMC9865985 DOI: 10.3390/life13010148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent one of the most common infections that are frequently encountered in health care facilities. One of the main mechanisms used by bacteria that allows them to survive hostile environments is biofilm formation. Biofilms are closed bacterial communities that offer protection and safe hiding, allowing bacteria to evade host defenses and hide from the reach of antibiotics. Inside biofilm communities, bacteria show an increased rate of horizontal gene transfer and exchange of resistance and virulence genes. Additionally, bacterial communication within the biofilm allows them to orchestrate the expression of virulence genes, which further cements the infestation and increases the invasiveness of the infection. These facts stress the necessity of continuously updating our information and understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, and eradication methods of this growing public health concern. This review seeks to understand the role of biofilm formation in recurrent urinary tact infections by outlining the mechanisms underlying biofilm formation in different uropathogens, in addition to shedding light on some biofilm eradication strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr S. Abu Lila
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Correspondence: (A.S.A.L.); (W.A.H.H.)
| | - Azza A. H. Rajab
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Marwa H. Abdallah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Syed Mohd Danish Rizvi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Afrasim Moin
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 81442, Saudi Arabia
| | - El-Sayed Khafagy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Shams Tabrez
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael A. H. Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
- Correspondence: (A.S.A.L.); (W.A.H.H.)
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22
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Hiring of the Anti-Quorum Sensing Activities of Hypoglycemic Agent Linagliptin to Alleviate the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pathogenesis. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122455. [PMID: 36557708 PMCID: PMC9783625 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria communicate with each other using quorum sensing (QS) which works in an inducer/receptor manner. QS plays the main role in orchestrating diverse bacterial virulence factors. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most clinically important bacterial pathogens that can cause infection in almost all body tissues. Besides its efficient capability to develop resistance to different antibiotics, P. aeruginosa acquires a huge arsenal of virulence factors that are controlled mainly by QS. Challenging QS with FDA-approved drugs and natural products was proposed as a promising approach to mitigate bacterial virulence enabling the host immunity to complete the eradication of bacterial infection. The present study aims to evaluate the dipeptidase inhibitor-4 inhibitor hypoglycemic linagliptin anti-QS and anti-virulence activities against P. aeruginosa in vitro, in vivo, and in silico. The current results revealed the significant ability to diminish the production of protease and pyocyanin, motility, and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, the histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissues of mice injected with linagliptin-treated bacteria showed an obvious reduction of pathogenesis. Linagliptin downregulation to QS-encoding genes, besides the virtual ability to interact with QS receptors, indicates its anti-QS activities. In conclusion, linagliptin is a promising anti-virulence and anti-QS candidate that can be used solely or in combination with traditional antimicrobial agents in the treatment of P. aeruginosa aggressive infections.
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23
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Behairy MY, Soltan MA, Eldeen MA, Abdulhakim JA, Alnoman MM, Abdel-Daim MM, Otifi H, Al-Qahtani SM, Zaki MSA, Alsharif G, Albogami S, Jafri I, Fayad E, Darwish KM, Elhady SS, Eid RA. HBD-2 variants and SARS-CoV-2: New insights into inter-individual susceptibility. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1008463. [PMID: 36569842 PMCID: PMC9780532 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1008463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A deep understanding of the causes of liability to SARS-CoV-2 is essential to develop new diagnostic tests and therapeutics against this serious virus in order to overcome this pandemic completely. In the light of the discovered role of antimicrobial peptides [such as human b-defensin-2 (hBD-2) and cathelicidin LL-37] in the defense against SARS-CoV-2, it became important to identify the damaging missense mutations in the genes of these molecules and study their role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Methods We conducted a comprehensive analysis with multiple in silico approaches to identify the damaging missense SNPs for hBD-2 and LL-37; moreover, we applied docking methods and molecular dynamics analysis to study the impact of the filtered mutations. Results The comprehensive analysis reveals the presence of three damaging SNPs in hBD-2; these SNPs were predicted to decrease the stability of hBD-2 with a damaging impact on hBD-2 structure as well. G51D and C53G mutations were located in highly conserved positions and were associated with differences in the secondary structures of hBD-2. Docking-coupled molecular dynamics simulation analysis revealed compromised binding affinity for hBD-2 SNPs towards the SARS-CoV-2 spike domain. Different protein-protein binding profiles for hBD-2 SNPs, in relation to their native form, were guided through residue-wise levels and differential adopted conformation/orientation. Conclusions The presented model paves the way for identifying patients prone to COVID-19 in a way that would guide the personalization of both the diagnostic and management protocols for this serious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Y. Behairy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt,*Correspondence: Mohamed A Soltan, ; Mohammed Y. Behairy,
| | - Mohamed A. Soltan
- Department of Microbiology and immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University – Kantara Branch, Ismailia, Egypt,*Correspondence: Mohamed A Soltan, ; Mohammed Y. Behairy,
| | - Muhammad Alaa Eldeen
- Cell Biology, Histology & Genetics Division, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Jawaher A. Abdulhakim
- Medical Laboratory Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam M. Alnoman
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Hassan Otifi
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh M. Al-Qahtani
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Samir A. Zaki
- Anatomy Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia,Department of Histology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ghadi Alsharif
- College of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Albogami
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Jafri
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Fayad
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled M. Darwish
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Sameh S. Elhady
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Refaat A. Eid
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
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24
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Elfaky MA, Thabit AK, Eljaaly K, Zawawi A, Abdelkhalek AS, Almalki AJ, Ibrahim TS, Hegazy WAH. Controlling of Bacterial Virulence: Evaluation of Anti-Virulence Activities of Prazosin against Salmonella enterica. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:1585. [PMID: 36358239 PMCID: PMC9686722 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11111585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica is a Gram-negative orofecal transmitted pathogen that causes a wide diversity of local and systemic illnesses. Salmonella enterica utilizes several interplayed systems to regulate its invasion and pathogenesis: namely, quorum sensing (QS) and type three secretion system (T3SS). In addition, S. enterica could sense the adrenergic hormones in the surroundings that enhance its virulence. The current study aimed to evaluate the ability of α-adrenoreceptor antagonist prazosin to mitigate the virulence of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. The prazosin effect on biofilm formation and the expression of sdiA, qseC, qseE, and T3SS-type II encoding genes was evaluated. Furthermore, the prazosin intracellular replication inside macrophage and anti-virulence activity was evaluated in vivo against S. typhimurium. The current finding showed a marked prazosin ability to compete on SdiA and QseC and downregulate their encoding genes. Prazosin significantly downregulated the virulence factors encoding genes and diminished the biofilm formation, intracellular replication inside macrophages, and in vivo protected mice. To sum up, prazosin showed significant inhibitory activities against QS, T3SS, and bacterial espionage, which documents its considered anti-virulence activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A. Elfaky
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abrar K. Thabit
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Eljaaly
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayat Zawawi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed S. Abdelkhalek
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Ahmad J. Almalki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tarek S. Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael A. H. Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
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25
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Cavalu S, Elbaramawi SS, Eissa AG, Radwan MF, S. Ibrahim T, Khafagy ES, Lopes BS, Ali MAM, Hegazy WAH, Elfaky MA. Characterization of the Anti-Biofilm and Anti-Quorum Sensing Activities of the β-Adrenoreceptor Antagonist Atenolol against Gram-Negative Bacterial Pathogens. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13088. [PMID: 36361877 PMCID: PMC9656717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is an increasing public health issue that worsens with the formation of biofilms. Quorum sensing (QS) orchestrates the bacterial virulence and controls the formation of biofilm. Targeting bacterial virulence is promising approach to overcome the resistance increment to antibiotics. In a previous detailed in silico study, the anti-QS activities of twenty-two β-adrenoreceptor blockers were screened supposing atenolol as a promising candidate. The current study aims to evaluate the anti-QS, anti-biofilm and anti-virulence activities of the β-adrenoreceptor blocker atenolol against Gram-negative bacteria Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis. An in silico study was conducted to evaluate the binding affinity of atenolol to S. marcescens SmaR QS receptor, P. aeruginosa QscR QS receptor, and P. mirabilis MrpH adhesin. The atenolol anti-virulence activity was evaluated against the tested strains in vitro and in vivo. The present finding shows considerable ability of atenolol to compete with QS proteins and significantly downregulated the expression of QS- and virulence-encoding genes. Atenolol showed significant reduction in the tested bacterial biofilm formation, virulence enzyme production, and motility. Furthermore, atenolol significantly diminished the bacterial capacity for killing and protected mice. In conclusion, atenolol has potential anti-QS and anti-virulence activities against S. marcescens, P. aeruginosa, and P. mirabilis and can be used as an adjuvant in treatment of aggressive bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Cavalu
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, P-ta 1 Decembrie 10, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Samar S. Elbaramawi
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Ahmed G. Eissa
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Mohamed F. Radwan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tarek S. Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - El-Sayed Khafagy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Bruno Silvester Lopes
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK
- National Horizons Centre, Teesside University, Darlington DL1 1HG, UK
| | - Mohamed A. M. Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 11432, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Wael A. H. Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
| | - Mahmoud A. Elfaky
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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26
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Thabit AK, Eljaaly K, Zawawi A, Ibrahim TS, Eissa AG, Elbaramawi SS, Hegazy WAH, Elfaky MA. Muting Bacterial Communication: Evaluation of Prazosin Anti-Quorum Sensing Activities against Gram-Negative Bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Serratia marcescens. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11091349. [PMID: 36138828 PMCID: PMC9495718 DOI: 10.3390/biology11091349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Bacterial infections are considered one of the main challenges to global health. Bacterial virulence is controlled by interplayed systems to regulate bacterial invasion and infection in host tissues. Quorum sensing (QS) plays a crucial role in regulating virulence factor production, thus could be considered as the bacterial communication system in the bacterial population. The current study aimed to assess the anti-QS and anti-virulence activities of α-adrenoreceptor prazosin against three virulent Gram-negative bacteria. It was demonstrated that prazosin significantly downregulates the expression of QS-encoding genes and shows considered ability to compete on QS proteins in tested strains. Prazosin can significantly diminish biofilm formation and production of virulent enzymes and mitigate the virulence factors of tested strains. However, more testing is required alongside pharmacological and toxicological studies to assure the potential clinical use of prazosin as an adjuvant anti-QS and anti-virulence agent. Abstract Quorum sensing (QS) controls the production of several bacterial virulence factors. There is accumulative evidence to support that targeting QS can ensure a significant diminishing of bacterial virulence. Lessening bacterial virulence has been approved as an efficient strategy to overcome the development of antimicrobial resistance. The current study aimed to assess the anti-QS and anti-virulence activities of α-adrenoreceptor prazosin against three virulent Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonades aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Serratia marcescens. The evaluation of anti-QS was carried out on a series of in vitro experiments, while the anti-virulence activities of prazosin were tested in an in vivo animal model. The prazosin anti-QS activity was assessed on the production of QS-controlled Chromobacterium violaceum pigment violacein and the expression of QS-encoding genes in P. aeruginosa. In vitro tests were performed to evaluate the prazosin effects on biofilm formation and production of extracellular enzymes by P. aeruginosa, P. mirabilis, and S. marcescens. A protective assay was conducted to evaluate the in vivo anti-virulence activity of prazosin against P. aeruginosa, P. mirabilis, and S. marcescens. Moreover, precise in silico molecular docking was performed to test the prazosin affinity to different QS receptors. The results revealed that prazosin significantly decreased the production of violacein and the virulent enzymes, protease and hemolysins, in the tested strains. Prazosin significantly diminished biofilm formation in vitro and bacterial virulence in vivo. The prazosin anti-QS activity was proven by its downregulation of QS-encoding genes and its obvious binding affinity to QS receptors. In conclusion, prazosin could be considered an efficient anti-virulence agent to be used as an adjuvant to antibiotics, however, it requires further pharmacological evaluations prior to clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar K. Thabit
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (A.K.T.); (M.A.H.H.)
| | - Khalid Eljaaly
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayat Zawawi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tarek S. Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed G. Eissa
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Samar S. Elbaramawi
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Wael A. H. Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
- Correspondence: (A.K.T.); (M.A.H.H.)
| | - Mahmoud A. Elfaky
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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Amphotericin B-PEG Conjugates of ZnO Nanoparticles: Enhancement Antifungal Activity with Minimal Toxicity. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081646. [PMID: 36015271 PMCID: PMC9415822 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AMB) is commonly used to treat life-threatening systemic fungal infections. AMB formulations that are more efficient and less nephrotoxic are currently unmet needs. In the current study, new ZnO-PEGylated AMB (ZnO-AMB-PEG) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and their antifungal effects on the Candida spp. were investigated. The size and zeta potential values of AMB-PEG and ZnO-AMB-PEG NPs were 216.2 ± 26.9 to 662.3 ± 24.7 nm and −11.8 ± 2.02 to −14.2 ± 0.94 mV, respectively. The FTIR, XRD, and EDX spectra indicated that the PEG-enclosed AMB was capped by ZnO, and SEM images revealed the ZnO distribution on the surface NPs. In comparison to ZnO-AMB NPs and free AMB against C.albicans and C.neoformans, ZnO-AMB-PEG NPs significantly reduced the MIC and MFC. After a week of single and multiple dosage, the toxicity was investigated utilizing in vitro blood hemolysis, in vivo nephrotoxicity, and hepatic functions. ZnO-AMB-PEG significantly lowered WBC count and hematocrit concentrations when compared to AMB and ZnO-AMB. RBC count and hemoglobulin content, on the other hand, were unaltered. ZnO-AMB-PEG considerably lowered creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels when compared to AMB and ZnO-AMB. The difference in liver function indicators was determined to be minor by all formulae. These findings imply that ZnO-AMB-PEG could be utilized in the clinic with little nephrotoxicity, although more research is needed to determine the formulation’s in vivo efficacy.
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Bio-Guided Isolation of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors from Medicinal Plants: In Vitro Assay and Molecular Dynamics. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11151914. [PMID: 35893619 PMCID: PMC9332707 DOI: 10.3390/plants11151914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Since the emergence of the pandemic of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the discovery of antiviral phytoconstituents from medicinal plants against SARS-CoV-2 has been comprehensively researched. In this study, thirty-three plants belonging to seventeen different families used traditionally in Saudi Arabia were tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (MPRO). Major constituents of the bio-active extracts were isolated and tested for their inhibition potential against this enzyme; in addition, their antiviral activity against the SARS-CoV-2 Egyptian strain was assessed. Further, the thermodynamic stability of the best active compounds was studied through focused comparative insights for the active metabolites regarding ligand–target binding characteristics at the molecular level. Additionally, the obtained computational findings provided useful directions for future drug optimization and development. The results revealed that Psiadia punctulata, Aframomum melegueta, and Nigella sativa extracts showed a high percentage of inhibition of 66.4, 58.7, and 31.5%, against SARS-CoV-2 MPRO, respectively. The major isolated constituents of these plants were identified as gardenins A and B (from P. punctulata), 6-gingerol and 6-paradol (from A. melegueta), and thymoquinone (from N. sativa). These compounds are the first to be tested invitro against SARS-CoV-2 MPRO. Among the isolated compounds, only thymoquinone (THY), gardenin A (GDA), 6-gingerol (GNG), and 6-paradol (PAD) inhibited the SARS-CoV-2 MPRO enzyme with inhibition percentages of 63.21, 73.80, 65.2, and 71.8%, respectively. In vitro assessment of SARS-CoV-2 (hCoV-19/Egypt/NRC-03/2020 (accession number on GSAID: EPI_ISL_430820) revealed a strong-to-low antiviral activity of the isolated compounds. THY showed relatively high cytotoxicity and was anti-SARS-CoV-2, while PAD demonstrated a cytotoxic effect on the tested VERO cells with a selectivity index of CC50/IC50 = 1.33 and CC50/IC50 = 0.6, respectively. Moreover, GNG had moderate activity at non-cytotoxic concentrations in vitro with a selectivity index of CC50/IC50 = 101.3/43.45 = 2.3. Meanwhile, GDA showed weak activity with a selectivity index of CC50/IC50 = 246.5/83.77 = 2.9. The thermodynamic stability of top-active compounds revealed preferential stability and SARS-CoV-2 MPRO binding affinity for PAD through molecular-docking-coupled molecular dynamics simulation. The obtained results suggest the treating potential of these plants and/or their active metabolites for COVID-19. However, further in-vivo and clinical investigations are required to establish the potential preventive and treatment effectiveness of these plants and/or their bio-active compounds in COVID-19.
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Soltan MA, Abdulsahib WK, Amer M, Refaat AM, Bagalagel AA, Diri RM, Albogami S, Fayad E, Eid RA, Sharaf SMA, Elhady SS, Darwish KM, Eldeen MA. Mining of Marburg Virus Proteome for Designing an Epitope-Based Vaccine. Front Immunol 2022; 13:907481. [PMID: 35911751 PMCID: PMC9334820 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.907481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Marburg virus (MARV) is one of the most harmful zoonotic viruses with deadly effects on both humans and nonhuman primates. Because of its severe outbreaks with a high rate of fatality, the world health organization put it as a risk group 4 pathogen and focused on the urgent need for the development of effective solutions against that virus. However, up to date, there is no effective vaccine against MARV in the market. In the current study, the complete proteome of MARV (seven proteins) was analyzed for the antigenicity score and the virulence or physiological role of each protein where we nominated envelope glycoprotein (Gp), Transcriptional activator (VP30), and membrane-associated protein (VP24) as the candidates for epitope prediction. Following that, a vaccine construct was designed based on CTL, HTL, and BCL epitopes of the selected protein candidates and to finalize the vaccine construct, several amino acid linkers, β-defensin adjuvant, and PADRE peptides were incorporated. The generated potential vaccine was assessed computationally for several properties such as antigenicity, allergenicity, stability, and other structural features where the outcomes of these assessments nominated this potential vaccine to be validated for its binding affinity with two molecular targets TLR-8 and TLR-4. The binding score and the stability of the vaccine-receptor complex, which was deeply studied through molecular docking-coupled dynamics simulation, supported the selection of our designed vaccine as a putative solution for MARV that should be validated through future wet-lab experiments. Here, we describe the computational approach for designing and analysis of this potential vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. Soltan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, Ismailia, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Mohamed A. Soltan, ; Muhammad Alaa Eldeen,
| | - Waleed K. Abdulsahib
- Department of pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Al- Farahidi University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Mahmoud Amer
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M. Refaat
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
| | - Alaa A. Bagalagel
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem M. Diri
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Albogami
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Fayad
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Refaat A. Eid
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Sameh S. Elhady
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled M. Darwish
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Muhammad Alaa Eldeen
- Cell Biology, Histology and Genetics Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Mohamed A. Soltan, ; Muhammad Alaa Eldeen,
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Khayat MT, Ibrahim TS, Khayyat AN, Alharbi M, Shaldam MA, Mohammad KA, Khafagy ES, El-damasy DA, Hegazy WAH, Abbas HA. Sodium Citrate Alleviates Virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10051046. [PMID: 35630488 PMCID: PMC9145658 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10051046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of bacterial resistance is an insistent global health care issue, especially in light of the dwindled supply of new antimicrobial agents. This mandates the development of new innovative approaches to overcome the resistance development obstacle. Mitigation of bacterial virulence is an interesting approach that offers multiple advantages. Employing safe chemicals or drugs to mitigate bacterial virulence is an additive advantage. In the current study, the in vitro antivirulence activities of citrate were evaluated. Significantly, sodium citrate inhibited bacterial biofilm formation at sub-MIC concentrations. Furthermore, sodium citrate decreased the production of virulence factors protease and pyocyanin and diminished bacterial motility. Quorum sensing (QS) is the communicative system that bacterial cells utilize to communicate with each other and regulate the virulence of the host cells. In the present study, citrate in silico blocked the Pseudomonas QS receptors and downregulated the expression of QS-encoding genes. In conclusion, sodium citrate showed a significant ability to diminish bacterial virulence in vitro and interfered with QS; it could serve as a safe adjuvant to traditional antibiotic treatment for aggressive resistant bacterial infections such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maan T. Khayat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (T.S.I.); (A.N.K.); (M.A.); (K.A.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.T.K.); (W.A.H.H.)
| | - Tarek S. Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (T.S.I.); (A.N.K.); (M.A.); (K.A.M.)
| | - Ahdab N. Khayyat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (T.S.I.); (A.N.K.); (M.A.); (K.A.M.)
| | - Majed Alharbi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (T.S.I.); (A.N.K.); (M.A.); (K.A.M.)
| | - Moataz A. Shaldam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33511, Egypt;
| | - Khadijah A. Mohammad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (T.S.I.); (A.N.K.); (M.A.); (K.A.M.)
| | - El-Sayed Khafagy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41552, Egypt
| | - Dalia A. El-damasy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Tenth of Ramadan 44629, Egypt;
| | - Wael A. H. Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt;
- Pharmacy Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oman College of Health Sciences, Muscat 113, Oman
- Correspondence: (M.T.K.); (W.A.H.H.)
| | - Hisham A. Abbas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt;
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Anti-Quorum Sensing Activities of Gliptins against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051169. [PMID: 35625906 PMCID: PMC9138634 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of bacterial resistance to traditional antibiotics constitutes an emerging public health issue. Promising approaches have been innovated to conquer bacterial resistance, and targeting bacterial virulence is one of these approaches. Bacterial virulence mitigation offers several merits, as antivirulence agents do not affect the growth of bacteria and hence do not induce bacteria to develop resistance. In this direction, numerous drugs have been repurposed as antivirulence agents prior to their clinical use alone or in combination with traditional antibiotics. Quorum sensing (QS) plays a key role in controlling bacterial virulence. In the current study, dipeptidase inhibitor-4 (DPI-4) antidiabetic gliptins were screened for their antivirulence and anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) activities against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Upon assessing their antibiofilm activities, the ten tested gliptins significantly diminished biofilm formation. In particular, sitagliptin exhibited the most efficient antibiofilm activity, so it was chosen as a representative of all gliptins to further investigate its antivirulence activity. Sitagliptin significantly protected mice from P. aeruginosa and S. aureus pathogenesis. Furthermore, sitagliptin downregulated QS-encoding genes in P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. To test the anti-QS activities of gliptins, a detailed molecular docking study was conducted to evaluate the gliptins’ binding affinities to P. aeruginosa and S. aureus QS receptors, which helped explain the anti-QS activities of gliptins, particularly sitagliptin and omarigliptin. In conclusion, this study evaluates the possible antivirulence and anti-QS activities of gliptins that could be promising novel candidates for the treatment of aggressive Gram-negative or -positive bacterial infections either alone or as adjuvants to other antibiotics.
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Terazosin Interferes with Quorum Sensing and Type Three Secretion System and Diminishes the Bacterial Espionage to Mitigate the Salmonella Typhimurium Pathogenesis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11040465. [PMID: 35453216 PMCID: PMC9025009 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11040465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica is an invasive intracellular pathogen and hires diverse systems to manipulate its survival in the host cells. Salmonella could eavesdrop on the host cells, sensing and responding to the produced adrenergic hormones and other neurotransmitters, which results in the augmentation of its virulence and establishes its accommodation in host cells. The current study aims to assess the anti-virulence effect of α-adrenergic antagonist terazosin on S. Typhimurium. Our findings show that terazosin significantly reduced S. Typhimurium adhesion and biofilm formation. Furthermore, terazosin significantly decreased invasion and intracellular replication of S. Typhimurium. Interestingly, in vivo, terazosin protected the mice from S. Typhimurium pathogenesis. To understand the terazosin anti-virulence activity, its effect on quorum sensing (QS), bacterial espionage, and type three secretion system (T3SS) was studied. Strikingly, terazosin competed on the membranal sensors that sense adrenergic hormones and down-regulated their encoding genes, which indicates the ability of terazosin to diminish the bacterial eavesdropping on the host cells. Moreover, terazosin significantly reduced the Chromobacterium violaceum QS-controlled pigment production and interfered with the QS receptor Lux-homolog Salmonella SdiA, which indicates the possible terazosin-mediated anti-QS activity. Furthermore, terazosin down-regulated the expression of T3SS encoding genes. In conclusion, terazosin may mitigate S. Typhimurium virulence owing to its hindering QS and down-regulating T3SS encoding genes besides its inhibition of bacterial espionage.
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