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Alfei S, Zuccari G, Bacchetti F, Torazza C, Milanese M, Siciliano C, Athanassopoulos CM, Piatti G, Schito AM. Synthesized Bis-Triphenyl Phosphonium-Based Nano Vesicles Have Potent and Selective Antibacterial Effects on Several Clinically Relevant Superbugs. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:1351. [PMID: 39195389 DOI: 10.3390/nano14161351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The increasing emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens due to antibiotic misuse translates into obstinate infections with high morbidity and high-cost hospitalizations. To oppose these MDR superbugs, new antimicrobial options are necessary. Although both quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) and phosphonium salts (QPSs) possess antimicrobial effects, QPSs have been studied to a lesser extent. Recently, we successfully reported the bacteriostatic and cytotoxic effects of a triphenyl phosphonium salt against MDR isolates of the Enterococcus and Staphylococcus genera. Here, aiming at finding new antibacterial devices possibly active toward a broader spectrum of clinically relevant bacteria responsible for severe human infections, we synthesized a water-soluble, sterically hindered quaternary phosphonium salt (BPPB). It encompasses two triphenyl phosphonium groups linked by a C12 alkyl chain, thus embodying the characteristics of molecules known as bola-amphiphiles. BPPB was characterized by ATR-FTIR, NMR, and UV spectroscopy, FIA-MS (ESI), elemental analysis, and potentiometric titrations. Optical and DLS analyses evidenced BPPB tendency to self-forming spherical vesicles of 45 nm (DLS) in dilute solution, tending to form larger aggregates in concentrate solution (DLS and optical microscope), having a positive zeta potential (+18 mV). The antibacterial effects of BPPB were, for the first time, assessed against fifty clinical isolates of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. Excellent antibacterial effects were observed for all strains tested, involving all the most concerning species included in ESKAPE bacteria. The lowest MICs were 0.250 µg/mL, while the highest ones (32 µg/mL) were observed for MDR Gram-negative metallo-β-lactamase-producing bacteria and/or species resistant also to colistin, carbapenems, cefiderocol, and therefore intractable with currently available antibiotics. Moreover, when administered to HepG2 human hepatic and Cos-7 monkey kidney cell lines, BPPB showed selectivity indices > 10 for all Gram-positive isolates and for clinically relevant Gram-negative superbugs such as those of E. coli species, thus being very promising for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Guendalina Zuccari
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Bacchetti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Carola Torazza
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Milanese
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Carlo Siciliano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | | | - Gabriella Piatti
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Schito
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genova, Italy
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Motelica L, Vasile BS, Ficai A, Surdu AV, Ficai D, Oprea OC, Andronescu E, Mustățea G, Ungureanu EL, Dobre AA. Antibacterial Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Loaded with Essential Oils. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2470. [PMID: 37896230 PMCID: PMC10610287 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102470] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
One major problem with the overuse of antibiotics is that the microorganisms acquire resistance; thus the dose must be increased unsustainably. To overcome this problem, researchers from around the world are actively investigating new types of antimicrobials. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been proven to exhibit strong antimicrobial effects; moreover, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) considers ZnO as GRAS (generally recognized as safe). Many essential oils have antimicrobial activity and their components do not generate resistance over time. One of the drawbacks is the high volatility of some components, which diminishes the antimicrobial action as they are eliminated. The combination of ZnO NPs and essential oils can synergistically produce a stronger antimicrobial effect, and some of the volatile compounds can be retained on the nanoparticles' surface, ensuring a better-lasting antimicrobial effect. The samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and thermal analysis (TG-DSC) coupled with analysis of evolved gases using FTIR. The ZnO NPs, with a size of ~35 nm, exhibited a loading between 1.44% and 15.62%-the lower values were specific for limonene-containing oils (e.g., orange, grapefruit, bergamot, or limette), while high values were obtained from cinnamon, minzol, thyme, citronella, and lavender oils-highlighting differences among non-polar terpenes and alcohol or aldehyde derivatives. The antibacterial assay indicated the existence of a synergic action among components and a high dependency on the percentage of loaded oil. Loaded nanoparticles offer immense potential for the development of materials with specific applications, such as wound dressings or food packaging. These nanoparticles can be utilized in scenarios where burst delivery is desired or when prolonged antibacterial activity is sought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila Motelica
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (L.M.); (E.A.)
- National Research Center for Food Safety, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Stefan Vasile
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (L.M.); (E.A.)
- National Research Center for Food Safety, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anton Ficai
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (L.M.); (E.A.)
- National Research Center for Food Safety, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adrian-Vasile Surdu
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (L.M.); (E.A.)
- National Research Center for Food Safety, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Denisa Ficai
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (L.M.); (E.A.)
- National Research Center for Food Safety, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (L.M.); (E.A.)
- National Research Center for Food Safety, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ecaterina Andronescu
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (L.M.); (E.A.)
- National Research Center for Food Safety, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gabriel Mustățea
- National R&D Institute for Food Bioresources—IBA Bucharest, Dinu Vintila Street 6, 021102 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Elena Loredana Ungureanu
- National R&D Institute for Food Bioresources—IBA Bucharest, Dinu Vintila Street 6, 021102 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alina Alexandra Dobre
- National R&D Institute for Food Bioresources—IBA Bucharest, Dinu Vintila Street 6, 021102 Bucharest, Romania
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Burke A, Di Filippo M, Spiccio S, Schito AM, Caviglia D, Brullo C, Baumann M. Antimicrobial Evaluation of New Pyrazoles, Indazoles and Pyrazolines Prepared in Continuous Flow Mode. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065319. [PMID: 36982392 PMCID: PMC10048858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-drug resistant bacterial strains (MDR) have become an increasing challenge to our health system, resulting in multiple classical antibiotics being clinically inactive today. As the de-novo development of effective antibiotics is a very costly and time-consuming process, alternative strategies such as the screening of natural and synthetic compound libraries is a simple approach towards finding new lead compounds. We thus report on the antimicrobial evaluation of a small collection of fourteen drug-like compounds featuring indazoles, pyrazoles and pyrazolines as key heterocyclic moieties whose synthesis was achieved in continuous flow mode. It was found that several compounds possessed significant antibacterial potency against clinical and MDR strains of the Staphylococcus and Enterococcus genera, with the lead compound (9) reaching MIC values of 4 µg/mL on those species. In addition, time killing experiments performed on compound 9 on Staphylococcus aureus MDR strains highlight its activity as bacteriostatic. Additional evaluations regarding the physiochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of the most active compounds are reported and showcased, promising drug-likeness, which warrants further explorations of the newly identified antimicrobial lead compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Burke
- Science Centre South, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Mara Di Filippo
- Science Centre South, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Silvia Spiccio
- Science Centre South, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Anna Maria Schito
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Debora Caviglia
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Brullo
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marcus Baumann
- Science Centre South, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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4
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Motelica L, Vasile BS, Ficai A, Surdu AV, Ficai D, Oprea OC, Andronescu E, Jinga DC, Holban AM. Influence of the Alcohols on the ZnO Synthesis and Its Properties: The Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Activities. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2842. [PMID: 36559334 PMCID: PMC9783502 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials are used in various health-related applications, from antimicrobial textiles to wound dressing composites and from sunscreens to antimicrobial packaging. Purity, surface defects, size, and morphology of the nanoparticles are the main factors that influence the antimicrobial properties. In this study, we are comparing the properties of the ZnO nanoparticles obtained by solvolysis using a series of alcohols: primary from methanol to 1-hexanol, secondary (2-propanol and 2-butanol), and tertiary (tert-butanol). While the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles is successfully accomplished in all primary alcohols, the use of secondary or tertiary alcohols does not lead to ZnO as final product, underlining the importance of the used solvent. The shape of the obtained nanoparticles depends on the alcohol used, from quasi-spherical to rods, and consequently, different properties are reported, including photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities. In the photocatalytic study, the ZnO obtained in 1-butanol exhibited the best performance against methylene blue (MB) dye solution, attaining a degradation efficiency of 98.24%. The comparative study among a series of usual model dyes revealed that triarylmethane dyes are less susceptible to photo-degradation. The obtained ZnO nanoparticles present a strong antimicrobial activity on a broad range of microorganisms (bacterial and fungal strains), the size and shape being the important factors. This permits further tailoring for use in medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila Motelica
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Stefan Vasile
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anton Ficai
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adrian-Vasile Surdu
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Denisa Ficai
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ecaterina Andronescu
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dan Corneliu Jinga
- Department of Medical Oncology, Neolife Medical Center, Ficusului Bd. 40, 077190 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alina Maria Holban
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 077206 Bucharest, Romania
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Schito AM, Caviglia D, Piatti G, Alfei S. A Highly Efficient Polystyrene-Based Cationic Resin to Reduce Bacterial Contaminations in Water. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14214690. [PMID: 36365682 PMCID: PMC9654381 DOI: 10.3390/polym14214690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, new water disinfection materials attract a lot of attention for their cost-saving and ease of application. Nevertheless, the poor durability of the matrices and the loss of physically incorporated or chemically attached antibacterial agents that can occur during water purification processes considerably limit their prolonged use. In this study, a polystyrene-based cationic resin (R4) with intrinsic broad-spectrum antibacterial effects was produced without needing to be enriched with additional antibacterial agents that could detach during use. Particularly, R4 was achieved by copolymerizing 4-ammonium-butyl-styrene (4-ABSTY) with N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) and using N-(2-acryloylamino-ethyl)-acrylamide (AAEA) as a cross-linker. The R4 obtained showed a spherical morphology, micro-dimensioned particles, high hydrophilicity, high-level porosity, and excellent swelling capabilities. Additionally, the swollen R4 to its maximum swelling capability, when dried with gentle heating for 3 h, released water following the Higuchi’s kinetics, thus returning to the original structure. In time–kill experiments on the clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens of fecal origin, such as enterococci, Group B Salmonella species, and Escherichia coli, R4 showed rapid bactericidal effects on enterococci and Salmonella, and reduced E. coli viable cells by 99.8% after 4 h. When aqueous samples artificially infected by a mixture of the same bacteria of fecal origin were exposed for different times to R4 in a column, simulating a water purification system, 4 h of contact was sufficient for R4 to show the best bacterial killing efficiency of 99%. Overall, thanks to its physicochemical properties, killing efficiency, low costs of production, and scalability, R4 could become a cost-effective material for building systems to effectively reduce bacterial, even polymicrobial, water contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Schito
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.M.S.); (S.A.); Tel.: +39-010-355-2296 (S.A.)
| | - Debora Caviglia
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Gabriella Piatti
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.M.S.); (S.A.); Tel.: +39-010-355-2296 (S.A.)
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6
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Brullo C, Caviglia D, Spallarossa A, Alfei S, Franzblau SG, Tasso B, Schito AM. Microbiological Screening of 5-Functionalized Pyrazoles for the Future Development of Optimized Pyrazole-Based Delivery Systems. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091770. [PMID: 36145518 PMCID: PMC9503297 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The pyrazole ring represents a widely applied chemical scaffold in medicinal chemistry research and we have observed that the physicochemical and biological features of highly substituted pyrazoles can be successfully improved by their encapsulation in dendrimer nanoparticles (NPs). For the future development of new optimized antibacterial delivery systems, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-amino functionalized pyrazole library (compounds 2–7). In detail, new derivatives 2–7 were differently decorated in C3, C4 and C5 positions. An in silico study predicted pyrazoles 2–7 to exert good drug-like and pharmacokinetic properties. Compounds 3c and 4b were endowed with moderate, but nanotechnologically improvable activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates of Gram-positive species, especially of the Staphylococcus genus (MICs = 32–64 µg/mL). In addition, derivatives 3c and 4a showed moderate activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 4a evidenced activity also against MDR strains. Overall, the collected evidence supported that, upon nano-formulation with proper polymer matrices, the new synthesized compounds could provide new pyrazole-based drug delivery systems with an enhanced and enlarged-spectrum of antibacterial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Brullo
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Debora Caviglia
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Spallarossa
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Organic Chemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Scott G. Franzblau
- Institute for Tuberculosis Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Bruno Tasso
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Schito
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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7
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Alfei S, Caviglia D, Piatti G, Zuccari G, Schito AM. Synthesis, Characterization and Broad-Spectrum Bactericidal Effects of Ammonium Methyl and Ammonium Ethyl Styrene-Based Nanoparticles. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:nano12162743. [PMID: 36014607 PMCID: PMC9416641 DOI: 10.3390/nano12162743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Untreatable infections, growing healthcare costs, and increasing human mortality due to the rising resistance of bacteria to most of the available antibiotics are global phenomena that urgently require the discovery of new and effective antimicrobial agents. Cationic macromolecules, acting as membrane disruptors, are widely studied, and several compounds, including two styrene-based copolymers developed by us (P5 and P7), have proved to possess potent broad-spectrum antibacterial effects, regardless of the resistance profiles of the bacteria. Here, we first reported the synthesis and physicochemical characterization of new cationic nanoparticles (NPs) (CP1 and OP2), obtained by polymerizing the monomers 4-ammoniummethylstyrene (4-AMSTY) and 4-ammoniumethylstyrene (4-AESTY) hydrochlorides, whose structures were designed using the cationic monomers of P5 and P7 as template compounds. The antibacterial activity of CP1 and OP2 was assessed against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens, observing potent antibacterial effects for both CP1 (MICs = 0.1-0.8 µM) and OP2 (MICs = 0.35-2.8 µM) against most of the tested isolates. Additionally, time-killing studies carried out with CP1 and OP2 on different strains of the most clinically relevant MDR species demonstrated that they kill pathogens rapidly. Due to their interesting physicochemical characteristics, which could enable their mutual formulation as hydrogels, CP1 and OP2 could represent promising ingredients for the development of novel antibacterial dosage forms for topical applications, capable of overcoming severe infections sustained by bacteria resistant to the presently available antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Debora Caviglia
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV-6, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriella Piatti
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV-6, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Guendalina Zuccari
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Schito
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV-6, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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8
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Schito AM, Caviglia D, Brullo C, Zorzoli A, Marimpietri D, Alfei S. Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of a Cationic Macromolecule by Its Complexation with a Weakly Active Pyrazole Derivative. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1607. [PMID: 35884912 PMCID: PMC9313313 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecules containing the pyrazole nucleus are widely reported as promising candidates to develop new antimicrobial compounds against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, where available antibiotics may fail. Recently, aiming at improving the too-high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of a pyrazole hydrochloride salt (CB1H), CB1H-loaded nanoparticles (CB1H-P7 NPs) were developed using a potent cationic bactericidal macromolecule (P7) as polymer matrix. Here, CB1H-P7 NPs have been successfully tested on several clinical isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, including relevant MDR strains. CB1H-P7 NPs displayed very low MICs (0.6-4.8 µM), often two-fold lower than those of P7, on 34 out of 36 isolates tested. Upon complexation, the antibacterial effects of pristine CB1H were improved by 2-16.4-fold, and, unexpectedly, also the already potent antibacterial effects of P7 were 2-8 times improved against most of bacteria tested when complexed with CB1H. Time-killing experiments performed on selected species established that CB1H-P7 NPs were bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Selectivity indices values up to 2.4, determined by cytotoxicity experiments on human keratinocytes, suggested that CB1H-P7 NPs could be promising for counteracting serious infections sustained by most of the isolates tested in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Schito
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Debora Caviglia
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Chiara Brullo
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Alessia Zorzoli
- Cell Factory, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (A.Z.); (D.M.)
| | - Danilo Marimpietri
- Cell Factory, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (A.Z.); (D.M.)
| | - Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy;
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9
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Ben Hur D, Kapach G, Wani NA, Kiper E, Ashkenazi M, Smollan G, Keller N, Efrati O, Shai Y. Antimicrobial Peptides against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm from Cystic Fibrosis Patients. J Med Chem 2022; 65:9050-9062. [PMID: 35759644 PMCID: PMC9289885 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
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Lung
infection is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality
in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and is mainly dominated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Treatment of CF-associated lung
infections is problematic because the drugs are vulnerable to multidrug-resistant
pathogens, many of which are major biofilm producers like P. aeruginosa. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are essential
components in all life forms and exhibit antimicrobial activity. Here
we investigated a series of AMPs (d,l-K6L9), each composed of six lysines and nine leucines but
differing in their sequence composed of l- and d-amino acids. The d,l-K6L9 peptides showed antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against
P. aeruginosa from CF patients. Furthermore, the
data revealed that the d,l-K6L9 peptides are stable and resistant to degradation by CF sputum proteases
and maintain their activity in a CF sputum environment. Additionally,
the d,l-K6L9 peptides do not
induce bacterial resistance. Overall, these findings should assist
in the future development of alternative treatments against resistant
bacterial biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ben Hur
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Gal Kapach
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Naiem Ahmad Wani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Edo Kiper
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Moshe Ashkenazi
- Pediatric Pulmonary Institute and National CF Center, Edmond and Lilly Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Gill Smollan
- Microbiology Laboratories, Edmond and Lili Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ariel University, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Natan Keller
- The Department of Health Management, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel.,Microbiology Laboratories, Edmond and Lili Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ariel University, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Ori Efrati
- Pediatric Pulmonary Institute and National CF Center, Edmond and Lilly Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Yechiel Shai
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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10
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Valenti GE, Alfei S, Caviglia D, Domenicotti C, Marengo B. Antimicrobial Peptides and Cationic Nanoparticles: A Broad-Spectrum Weapon to Fight Multi-Drug Resistance Not Only in Bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116108. [PMID: 35682787 PMCID: PMC9181033 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, antibiotic resistance and, analogously, anticancer drug resistance have increased considerably, becoming one of the main public health problems. For this reason, it is crucial to find therapeutic strategies able to counteract the onset of multi-drug resistance (MDR). In this review, a critical overview of the innovative tools available today to fight MDR is reported. In this direction, the use of membrane-disruptive peptides/peptidomimetics (MDPs), such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), has received particular attention, due to their high selectivity and to their limited side effects. Moreover, similarities between bacteria and cancer cells are herein reported and the hypothesis of the possible use of AMPs also in anticancer therapies is discussed. However, it is important to take into account the limitations that could negatively impact clinical application and, in particular, the need for an efficient delivery system. In this regard, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) is proposed as a potential strategy to improve therapy; moreover, among polymeric NPs, cationic ones are emerging as promising tools able to fight the onset of MDR both in bacteria and in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia E. Valenti
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.E.V.); (B.M.)
| | - Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Debora Caviglia
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Cinzia Domenicotti
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.E.V.); (B.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-010-353-8830
| | - Barbara Marengo
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.E.V.); (B.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
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11
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Potent and Broad-Spectrum Bactericidal Activity of a Nanotechnologically Manipulated Novel Pyrazole. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040907. [PMID: 35453657 PMCID: PMC9029483 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The antimicrobial potency of the pyrazole nucleus is widely reported these days, and pyrazole derivatives represent excellent candidates for meeting the worldwide need for new antimicrobial compounds against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Consequently, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-nitrophenylamino)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile (CR232), recently reported as a weak antiproliferative agent, was considered to this end. To overcome the CR232 water solubility issue and allow for the determination of reliable minimum inhibitory concentration values (MICs), we initially prepared water-soluble and clinically applicable CR232-loaded nanoparticles (CR232-G5K NPs), as previously reported. Here, CR232-G5K NPs have been tested on several clinically isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, including MDR strains. While for CR232 MICs ≥ 128 µg/mL (376.8 µM) were obtained, very low MICs (0.36–2.89 µM) were observed for CR232-G5K NPs against all of the considered isolates, including colistin-resistant isolates of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs)-producing K. pneumoniae (0.72 µM). Additionally, in time–kill experiments, CR232-G5K NPs displayed a rapid bactericidal activity with no significant regrowth after 24 h on all isolates tested, regardless of their difficult-to-treat resistance. Conjecturing a clinical use of CR232-G5K NPs, cytotoxicity experiments on human keratinocytes were performed, determining very favorable selectivity indices. Collectively, due to its physicochemical and biological properties, CR232-G5K NPs could represent a new potent weapon to treat infections sustained by broad spectrum MDR bacteria.
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12
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Synthesis and Characterization of Pyrazole-Enriched Cationic Nanoparticles as New Promising Antibacterial Agent by Mutual Cooperation. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12071215. [PMID: 35407333 PMCID: PMC9000707 DOI: 10.3390/nano12071215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A pyrazole derivative (CB1) was previously evaluated in vivo for various pharmacological activities (with the exception of antimicrobial effects), using DMSO as the administrative medium, mainly due to its water insolubility. Considering the global necessity for new antimicrobial agents, CB1 attracted our attention as a candidate to meet this need, mainly because the secondary amine group in its structure would make it possible to obtain its hydrochloride salt (CB1H), thus effortlessly solving its water-solubility drawbacks. In preliminary microbiologic investigations on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, CB1H displayed weak antibacterial effects on MDR isolates of Gram-positive species, nonetheless better than those displayed by the commonly-used available antibiotics. Therefore, aiming at improving such activity and extending the antibacterial spectrum of CB1H to Gram-negative pathogens, in this first work CB1 was strategically formulated in nanoparticles using a cationic copolymer (P7) previously developed by us, possessing potent broad-spectrum bactericidal activity. Using the nanoprecipitation method, CB1H-loaded polymer nanoparticles (CB1H-P7 NPs) were obtained, which were analyzed by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy to confirm the successful loading. Additionally, CB1H-P7 NPs were fully characterized in terms of morphology, size, polydispersity indices, surface charge, DL%, and EE%, as well as release and potentiometric profiles.
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13
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Schito AM, Caviglia D, Piatti G, Zorzoli A, Marimpietri D, Zuccari G, Schito GC, Alfei S. Efficacy of Ursolic Acid-Enriched Water-Soluble and Not Cytotoxic Nanoparticles against Enterococci. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1976. [PMID: 34834390 PMCID: PMC8625572 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid acid found in many medicinal plants and aromas, is known for its antibacterial effects against multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Gram-positive bacteria, which seriously threaten human health. Unfortunately, UA water-insolubility, low bioavailability, and systemic toxicity limit the possibilities of its application in vivo. Consequently, the beneficial activities of UA observed in vitro lose their potential clinical relevance unless water-soluble, not cytotoxic UA formulations are developed. With a nano-technologic approach, we have recently prepared water-soluble UA-loaded dendrimer nanoparticles (UA-G4K NPs) non-cytotoxic on HeLa cells, with promising physicochemical properties for their clinical applications. In this work, with the aim of developing a new antibacterial agent based on UA, UA-G4K has been tested on different strains of the Enterococcus genus, including marine isolates, toward which UA-G4K has shown minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) very low (0.5-4.3 µM), regardless of their resistance to antibiotics. Time-kill experiments, in addition to confirming the previously reported bactericidal activity of UA against E. faecium, also established it for UA-G4K. Furthermore, cytotoxicity experiments on human keratinocytes revealed that nanomanipulation of UA significantly reduced the cytotoxicity of UA, providing UA-G4K NPs with very high LD50 (96.4 µM) and selectivity indices, which were in the range 22.4-192.8, depending on the enterococcal strain tested. Due to its physicochemical and biological properties, UA-G4K could be seriously evaluated as a novel oral-administrable therapeutic option for tackling difficult-to-treat enterococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Schito
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.M.S.); (D.C.); (G.P.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Debora Caviglia
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.M.S.); (D.C.); (G.P.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Gabriella Piatti
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.M.S.); (D.C.); (G.P.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Alessia Zorzoli
- Stem Cell Laboratory and Cell Therapy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (A.Z.); (D.M.)
| | - Danilo Marimpietri
- Stem Cell Laboratory and Cell Therapy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (A.Z.); (D.M.)
| | - Guendalina Zuccari
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Gian Carlo Schito
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.M.S.); (D.C.); (G.P.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy;
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