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Alias C, Feretti D, Viola GVC, Zerbini I, Bisceglie F, Pelosi G, Zani C. Allium cepa tests: A plant-based tool for the early evaluation of toxicity and genotoxicity of newly synthetized antifungal molecules. MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2023; 889:503654. [PMID: 37491113 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2023.503654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Many fungal genera such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Alternaria are able to produce, among many other metabolites, the aflatoxins, a group of toxic and carcinogenic compounds. To reduce their formation, synthetic fungicides are used as an effective way of intervention. However, the extensive use of such molecules generates long-term residues into the food and the environment. The need of new antifungal molecules, with high specificity and low off-target toxicity is worth. The aim of this study was to evaluate: i) the toxicity and genotoxicity of newly synthesized molecules with a good anti-mycotoxic activity, and ii) the suitability of the Allium cepa multi-endpoint assay as an early screening method for chemicals. Eight compounds were tested for toxicity by using the A. cepa bulb root elongation test and for genotoxicity using the A. cepa bulb mitotic index, micronuclei and chromosome aberrations tests. Three molecules showed no toxicity, while two induced mild toxic effects in roots exposed to the highest dose (100 µM). A more pronounced toxic effect was caused by the other three compounds for which the EC50 was approximately 50 μM. Furthermore, all molecules showed a clear genotoxic activity, both in terms of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei. Albeit the known good antifungal activity, the different molecules caused strong toxic and genotoxic effects. The results indicate the suitability of experiments with A. cepa as a research model for the evaluation of the toxic and genotoxic activities of new molecules in plants before they are released into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Alias
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Donatella Feretti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Gaia V C Viola
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Zerbini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Franco Bisceglie
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Giorgio Pelosi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Claudia Zani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Italy.
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Montalbano S, Degola F, Bartoli J, Bisceglie F, Buschini A, Carcelli M, Feretti D, Galati S, Marchi L, Orsoni N, Pelosi G, Pioli M, Restivo FM, Rogolino D, Scaccaglia M, Serra O, Spadola G, Viola GCV, Zerbini I, Zani C. The AFLATOX ® Project: Approaching the Development of New Generation, Natural-Based Compounds for the Containment of the Mycotoxigenic Phytopathogen Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxin Contamination. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4520. [PMID: 33926042 PMCID: PMC8123576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The control of the fungal contamination on crops is considered a priority by the sanitary authorities of an increasing number of countries, and this is also due to the fact that the geographic areas interested in mycotoxin outbreaks are widening. Among the different pre- and post-harvest strategies that may be applied to prevent fungal and/or aflatoxin contamination, fungicides still play a prominent role; however, despite of countless efforts, to date the problem of food and feed contamination remains unsolved, since the essential factors that affect aflatoxins production are various and hardly to handle as a whole. In this scenario, the exploitation of bioactive natural sources to obtain new agents presenting novel mechanisms of action may represent a successful strategy to minimize, at the same time, aflatoxin contamination and the use of toxic pesticides. The Aflatox® Project was aimed at the development of new-generation inhibitors of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp. proliferation and toxin production, through the modification of naturally occurring molecules: a panel of 177 compounds, belonging to the thiosemicarbazones class, have been synthesized and screened for their antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic potential. The most effective compounds, selected as the best candidates as aflatoxin containment agents, were also evaluated in terms of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and epi-genotoxicity to exclude potential harmful effect on the human health, the plants on which fungi grow and the whole ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Montalbano
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Francesca Degola
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Jennifer Bartoli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Franco Bisceglie
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Annamaria Buschini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
- Interdepartmental Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology COMT, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy;
| | - Mauro Carcelli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Donatella Feretti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 11 Viale Europa, 25123 Brescia, BS, Italy; (D.F.); (G.C.V.V.); (I.Z.); (C.Z.)
| | - Serena Galati
- Interdepartmental Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology COMT, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy;
| | - Laura Marchi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43125 Parma, PR, Italy;
| | - Nicolò Orsoni
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Giorgio Pelosi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Marianna Pioli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Francesco M. Restivo
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Dominga Rogolino
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Mirco Scaccaglia
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Olga Serra
- Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43125 Parma, PR, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Spadola
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, PR, Italy; (S.M.); (J.B.); (F.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (N.O.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.R.); (D.R.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Gaia C. V. Viola
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 11 Viale Europa, 25123 Brescia, BS, Italy; (D.F.); (G.C.V.V.); (I.Z.); (C.Z.)
| | - Ilaria Zerbini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 11 Viale Europa, 25123 Brescia, BS, Italy; (D.F.); (G.C.V.V.); (I.Z.); (C.Z.)
| | - Claudia Zani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 11 Viale Europa, 25123 Brescia, BS, Italy; (D.F.); (G.C.V.V.); (I.Z.); (C.Z.)
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Bisceglie F, Degola F, Rogolino D, Giannelli G, Orsoni N, Spadola G, Pioli M, Restivo FM, Carcelli M, Pelosi G. Sisters in structure but different in character, some benzaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde derivatives differentially tune Aspergillus flavus secondary metabolism. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17686. [PMID: 33077881 PMCID: PMC7572373 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74574-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Great are the expectations for a new generation of antimicrobials, and strenuous are the research efforts towards the exploration of diverse molecular scaffolds-possibly of natural origin - aimed at the synthesis of new compounds against the spread of hazardous fungi. Also high but winding are the paths leading to the definition of biological targets specifically fitting the drug's structural characteristics. The present study is addressed to inspect differential biological behaviours of cinnamaldehyde and benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone scaffolds, exploiting the secondary metabolism of the mycotoxigenic phytopathogen Aspergillus flavus. Interestingly, owing to modifications on the parent chemical scaffold, some thiosemicarbazones displayed an increased specificity against one or more developmental processes (conidia germination, aflatoxin biosynthesis, sclerotia production) of A. flavus biology. Through the comparative analysis of results, the ligand-based screening strategy here described has allowed us to delineate which modifications are more promising for distinct purposes: from the control of mycotoxins contamination in food and feed commodities, to the environmental management of microbial pathogens, to the investigation of specific structure-activity features for new generation drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Bisceglie
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Degola
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Dominga Rogolino
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Nicolò Orsoni
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Giorgio Spadola
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Marianna Pioli
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesco M. Restivo
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Mauro Carcelli
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Giorgio Pelosi
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
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Kovač T, Kovač M, Strelec I, Nevistić A, Molnar M. Antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities of coumarinyl thiosemicarbazides against Aspergillus flavus NRRL 3251. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2017; 68:9-15. [PMID: 28365677 DOI: 10.1515/aiht-2017-68-2883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic effects of two series of coumarinyl thiosemicarbazides on Aspergillus flavus NRRL 3251 were studied. Fungi were grown in YES medium for 72 h at 29 °C in the presence of 0, 0.1, 1, and 10 μg mL-1 of coumarinyl thiosemicarbazides: one series with substitution in position 7 and another with substitution in position 4 of the coumarin core. Dry mycelia weight determination was used for antifungal activity estimation, while the aflatoxin B1 content in YES media, determined by the dilute and shoot LC-MS/MS technique, was used for the antiaflatoxigenic effect estimation. Standard biochemical assays were used for oxidative status marker (TBARS, SOD, CAT, and GPX) determination in A. flavus NRRL 3251 mycelia. Results show that 7-substituted-coumarinyl thiosemicarbazides possess a better antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activity than 4-substituted ones. The most prominent substituted compound was the compound 3, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-((4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl)oxy)acetyl)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide, which completely inhibited aflatoxin production at the concentration of 10 μg mL-1. Oxidative stress response of A. flavus exposed to the selected compounds points to the modulation of oxidative stress as a possible reason of aflatoxin production inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tihomir Kovač
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Ecology, Faculty of Food Technology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek
| | | | - Ivica Strelec
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Ecology, Faculty of Food Technology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek
| | | | - Maja Molnar
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Ecology, Faculty of Food Technology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek
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