Evaluating Phytochemical Profiles, Cytotoxicity, Antiviral Activity, Antioxidant Potential, and Enzyme Inhibition of Vepris boiviniana Extracts

In the present study, we performed comprehensive LC-MS chemical profiling and biological tests of Vepris boiviniana leaves and stem bark extracts of different polarities. In total, 60 bioactive compounds were tentatively identified in all extracts. The 80% ethanolic stem bark extract exhibited the highest activity in the ABTS assay, equal to 551.82 mg TE/g. The infusion extract of stem bark consistently demonstrated elevated antioxidant activity in all assays, with values ranging from 137.39 mg TE/g to 218.46 mg TE/g. Regarding the enzyme inhibitory assay, aqueous extracts from both bark and leaves exhibited substantial inhibition of AChE, with EC50 values of 2.41 mg GALAE/g and 2.25 mg GALAE/g, respectively. The 80% ethanolic leaf extract exhibited the lowest cytotoxicity in VERO cells (CC50: 613.27 µg/mL) and demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells, particularly against H1HeLa cells, indicating potential therapeutic specificity. The 80% ethanolic bark extract exhibited elevated toxicity in VERO cells but had reduced anticancer selectivity. The n-hexane extracts, notably the leaves' n-hexane extract, displayed the highest toxicity towards non-cancerous cells with selectivity towards H1HeLa and RKO cells. In viral load assessment, all extracts reduced HHV-1 load by 0.14-0.54 log and HRV-14 viral load by 0.13-0.72 log, indicating limited antiviral activity. In conclusion, our research underscores the diverse bioactive properties of Vepris boiviniana extracts, exhibiting potent antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and cytotoxicity potential against cancer cells.

Antimicrobial and Apoptotic Efficacy of Plant-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles

Phytogenically synthesised nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery systems have promising potential in the field of biopharmaceuticals. From the point of view of biomedical applications, such systems offer the small size, high surface area, and possible synergistic effects of NPs with embedded biomolecules. This article describes the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using extracts from the flowers and leaves of tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.), which is known as a remedy for many health problems, including cancer. The reducing power of the extracts was confirmed by total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant tests. The Ag-NPs were characterised by various analytical techniques including UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and a dynamic light scattering (DLS) system. The obtained Ag-NPs showed higher cytotoxic activity than the initial extracts against both human cervical cancer cell lines HeLa (ATCC CCL-2) and human melanoma cell lines A375 and SK-MEL-3 by MTT assay. However, the high toxicity to Vero cell culture (ATCC CCL-81) and human fibroblast cell line WS-1 rules out the possibility of their use as anticancer agents. The plant-mediated Ag-NPs were mostly bactericidal against tested strains with MBC/MIC index ≤4. Antifungal bioactivity (C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis) was not observed for aqueous extracts (MIC > 8000 mg L^-1), but Ag-NPs synthesised using both the flowers and leaves of tansy were very potent against Candida spp., with MIC 15.6 and 7.8 µg mL^-1, respectively.

Herb Robert's Gift against Human Diseases: Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activity of Geranium robertianum L

Geranium robertianum L. is a widely distributed plant used as a traditional herbal medicine, but the knowledge of its biological properties still needs to be improved. Thus, the purpose of this presented research was to assess the phytochemical profile of extracts from aerial parts of G. robertianum, commercially available in Poland and to study their anticancer potential and antimicrobial properties, including the antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. Additionally, the bioactivity of fractions obtained from the hexane and ethyl acetate extract was analyzed. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of organic and phenolic acids, hydrolysable tannins (gallo- and ellagitannins), and flavonoids. Significant anticancer activity was found for G. robertianum hexane extract (GrH) and ethyl acetate extract (GrEA) with an SI (selectivity index) between 2.02 and 4.39. GrH and GrEA inhibited the development of HHV-1-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) in virus-infected cells and decreased the viral load by 0.52 log and 1.42 log, respectively. Among the analyzed fractions, only those obtained from GrEA showed the ability to decrease the CPE and reduce the viral load. The extracts and fractions from G. robertianum showed a versatile effect on the panel of bacteria and fungi. The highest activity was observed for fraction GrEA4 against Gram-positive bacteria, including Micrococcus luteus ATCC 10240 (MIC 8 μg/mL), Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 (MIC 16 μg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 (MIC 125 μg/mL), Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 (MIC 125 μg/mL), and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 (MIC 125 μg/mL). The observed antibacterial effect may justify the traditional use of G. robertianum to treat hard-to-heal wounds.

Bridging the Chemical Profiles and Biological Effects of Spathodea campanulata Extracts: A New Contribution on the Road from Natural Treasure to Pharmacy Shelves

Spathodea campanulata is an important medicinal plant with traditional uses in the tropical zone. In the current work, we aimed to determine the chemical profiles and biological effects of extracts (methanolic and infusion (water)) from the leaves and stem bark of S. campanulata. The chemical components of the tested extracts were identified using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS. Biological effects were tested in terms of antioxidant (radical scavenging, reducing power, and metal chelating), enzyme inhibitory (cholinesterase, amylase, glucosidase, and tyrosinase), antineoplastic, and antiviral activities. Fifty-seven components were identified in the tested extracts, including iridoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids as the main constituents. In general, the leaves-MeOH extract was the most active in the antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, metal chelating, and phosphomolybdenum). Antineoplastic effects were tested in normal (VERO cell line) and cancer cell lines (FaDu, HeLa, and RKO). The leaf infusion, as well as the extracts obtained from stem bark, showed antineoplastic activity (CC₅₀ 119.03–222.07 µg/mL). Antiviral effects were tested against HHV-1 and CVB3, and the leaf methanolic extract (500 µg/mL) exerted antiviral activity towards HHV-1, inhibiting the viral-induced cytopathic effect and reducing the viral infectious titre by 5.11 log and viral load by 1.45 log. In addition, molecular docking was performed to understand the interactions between selected chemical components and viral targets (HSV-1 DNA polymerase, HSV-1 protease, and HSV-1 thymidine kinase). The results presented suggest that S. campanulata may be a bright spot in moving from natural sources to industrial applications, including novel drugs, cosmeceuticals, and nutraceuticals.

Composites based on graphite oxide and zirconium phthalocyanines with aromatic amino acids as photoactive materials

This article is a part of a scientific project focused on obtaining a new type of composite materials that are characterized by singlet oxygen generation upon irradiation with red light, which can be used as antibacterial agents. The composite material is nanoscale graphite oxide (GO) particles covalently bonded to an axially substituted zirconium phthalocyanine complex. For this purpose, two phthalocyanine zirconium complexes, axially mono-substituted with 4-aminosalicylic or 4-aminophthalic acids, were prepared and measured in terms of structure, morphology, and spectroscopic properties. The zirconium phthalocyanines are photosensitizers, and the axial ligands are bridging links connecting the complexes to the GO carrier (due to their terminal amino groups and carboxyl groups, respectively). The axial ligand in zirconium phthalocyanine complexes has a strong influence on the stability and optical properties of composite materials and, consequently, on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In this paper, the effect of composite components (4-aminophthalato or 4-aminosalicylato substituted zirconium phthalocyanine complex as a photosensitizer and graphite oxide as a carrier and modulator of the action of active components) on ROS generation for potential antibacterial use is discussed.

Chemical composition, biological properties and bioinformatics analysis of two Caesalpina species: A new light in the road from nature to pharmacy shelf

Caesalpinia bonduc and C. decapeleta var. japonica have great importance in traditional medicine systems but scientific information's are still lacking for their potentials. To explore their bioactivity, we assessed the antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory abilities of the dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts prepared from the leaves and bark. The cytotoxicity and anticancer properties of the extracts were also assessed in vitro. The water extract of C. decapeleta leaves possessed highest phenolic content (108.16 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract), while the highest flavonoid content was recorded for the C. bonduc leaf methanolic extract (27.89 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g extract). In general, C. decapeleta extracts possessed higher radical scavenging potential compared to C. bonduc extracts. C. decapeleta DCM leaves extract (10.20 mg galantamine equivalent (GALAE)/g extract) showed highest inhibition against butyrylcholinesterase. The cytotoxicity of the most potent methanolic and aqueous extracts were assessed against four cell lines. The chemical profiles of both species appeared to be different. C. bonduc was abundant in organic and phenolic acids as well as their esters. Flavonoid glycosides, bonducellin and its derivatives and caesalminaxins were identified. Whereas, C. decalpetala possessed many galloylated compounds. The cytotoxicity of C. bonduc and C. decapetala extracts was tested using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) based assay on VERO (kidney of an adult African Green monkey cells), HeLa (human cervical adenocarcinoma cells), RKO (human colon carcinoma cells), FaDu (human hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells) cell lines. C. bonduc bark water extract exhibited the highest cytotoxicity towards HeLa (50 % cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀): 28.5 μg/mL) cancer cell line, as compared to normal VERO cells (CC₅₀:35.87 μg/mL). For C. decapetala, the highest cytotoxicity was found for bark methanol extract on the HeLa cells with CC₅₀ of 46.08 μg/mL and selectivity index of 3.33. In the gene ontology analysis, prostate cancer, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) signaling, proteoglycans in cancer pathways might support the results of the cytotoxic assays. These results showed that the tested Caesalpinia species, showing potent inhibitory action against butyrylcholinesterase, might represent novel phytotherapeutic avenues for the management of Alzheimer's disease.

The influence of some promising fused azaisocytosine-containing congeners on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos/larvae and their antihaemolytic, antitumour and antiviral activities

The present study was aimed at broadening the profile of toxicity and biological activity of promising fused azaisocytosine-containing congeners (I-VI) possessing medical applicability and important pharmacokinetic properties. For this purpose, the in vivo zebrafish test was applied for evaluating embryotoxic effects of test compounds, whereas the ex vivo model of oxidatively-stressed rat erythrocytes was developed for assessing their antihaemolytic activities. Additionally, the MTT-based assays suitable for assessing cytotoxic and antiviral activities of I-VI were employed. The influence of compounds I-VI on zebrafish embryos/larvae was carefully investigated in relation to lack or presence of various substituents at the phenyl moiety. The least embryotoxic proved to be the parent compound (I) and its para-methyl (II) and ortho-chloro (III) derivatives. Simultaneously, they revealed the minimum embryotoxic concentrations higher than that of aciclovir, what makes them safer than this pharmaceutic. Moreover, most of test compounds showed protective effects (better or comparable to that of ascorbic acid) on oxidatively-stressed erythrocytes. All the investigated compounds were effective at inhibiting the growth of human solid tumours of pharynx (FaDu) and tongue (SCC-25). The majority of molecules showed good selectivity indices. The most selective proved to be II showing in normal Vero cells over a 5-fold and an almost 3-fold decreased cytotoxicity relative to that in tumour SCC-25 and FaDu cells, respectively. Additionally, a 3,4-dichloro derivative (VI) was shown to possess concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on the replication of Herpes simplex virus type 1 and simultaneously at active concentrations was found to be nontoxic for normal Vero cells.

Dual Antibacterial and Anticancer Activity of 4-Benzoyl-1-dichlorobenzoylthiosemicarbazide Derivatives

Result:

1-(2,3-Dichlorobenzoyl)-4-(2-methylbenzoyl)thiosemicarbazide (TA-4), 1-(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl)- 4-(2-methylbenzoyl)thiosemicarbazide (TA-18), and 1-(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl)-4-(4-nitrolbenzoyl)- thiosemicarbazide (TA-20) were found to possess anticancer activity equipotent or even stronger than that of reference drug – etoposide. In order to clarify the molecular mode of action of the mentioned compounds, the relaxation assay kit for human DNA topoisomerase II was used. It turned out that reduction of viability of cancer cells was a result of inhibition of human DNA topoII. Molecular docking studies proved that 4-benzoyl-1-dichlorobenzoylthiosemicarbazides strongly interact with DNAdependent subunit of that enzyme.

Chemical profile, antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effect of extract from leaves of Erythrochiton brasiliensis Nees & Mart. from different regions of Europe

The total phenolic content (TPC), total tannin content (TTC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) as well as the antioxidant activity and the cytotoxic effect of the extract from leaves of Erythrochiton brasiliensis Nees & Mart. (Rutaceae) were evaluated. Raw material was collected in different European botanical gardens. Statistical analysis revealed a clear grouping of populations according to their climatic zone. The average TPC, TTC and TFC in tested samples were 35.92 (± 7.11) mg GAE·g–1 DW, 14.98 (± 4.08) mg PyE·g–1 DW and 2.92 (± 0.76) mg QuE·g–1 DW, respectively. The scavenged DPPH and Trolox equivalents determined by EPR spectroscopy were 1.23–4.14 and 0.50–1.44 mmol·g–1 of dry extract, respectively. Thirteen compounds (derivatives of bezoic acid acid and trans-cinnammic acid) were identified in the samples. The flavonoid vitexin was also present as the major component in three investigated samples. The in vitro cytotoxicity test of the extract on Vero cells provided IC50 and IC10 values of 175.6 and 72.5 μg·mL–1, respectively. Incubation of samples with HHV-1 infected Vero cells had no effect on the occurrence of cytopathic effect.

Lithium as a prooxidant? A possible protective role of selenium - in vitro study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Lithium is used in medicine but its application may cause diverse side effects. Selenium has been found to show protective properties against negative influence of different harmful factors. This study was aimed at evaluating the influence of non-toxic dose of lithium on antioxidant parameters in FaDu (ATCC HTB-43) and Vero (ECACC No. 84113001) cell lines as well as the possible protective effect of non-toxic concentration of sodium selenite.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The cells were subjected to 0.17 mmol/L of Li₂CO₃ and/or 2.9 µmol/L of Na₂SeO₃ · 5H₂O for Vero as well as 0.47 mmol/L of Li₂CO₃ and/or 3.0 µmol/L of Na₂SeO₃ · 5H₂O for FaDu cells. The incubation was continued for the subsequent 72 h. In the cells total antioxidant status (TAS) values, activities of antioxidant enzymes - superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as the reduced glutathione concentration (GSH) were determined.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

In Vero cells lithium decreased all studied parameters, particularly GPx. Selenium co-treatment showed a distinct protective effect. In FaDu cells the similar effect was observed only in case of GSH. The results point to differences in action of lithium and selenium in physiological and pathological state. As long-term lithium therapy is applied in psychiatric patients the results regarding Vero line let suggest that selenium might be considered as an adjuvant alleviating side effects of Li-treatment.

Biological activity and safety profile of the essential oil from fruits of Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier (Apiaceae)

A composition of essential oils obtained from Heracleum mantegazzianum (Apiaceae) was examined using a GC-MS method. n-Octyl acetate (19.92%), n-hexyl-2-methylbutanoate (10.84%), n-octanol (10.13%), n-octyl butanoate (8.88%), n-octyl-2-methylbutanoate (8.01%), n-hexyl acetate (7.11%), n-octyl isobutanoate (5.5%) and n-hexyl isobutanoate (5.43%) were the main compounds. The high-performance counter-current chromatography was applied for purification of aliphatic alcohols and esters. A mixture of n-hexane, acetonitrile and tetr-butyl methyl ether (1:1:0.1, v/v) allowed to obtain n-octanol, n-octyl acetate, n-hexyl-2- methylbutanoate, n-octyl isobutanoate and n-octyl-2-methylbutanoate, with the purity range of 94-99%, in one single 74 min run. The antimicrobial activity was also determined against plant and foodborne pathogens. While n-octanol shares responsibility for the antibacterial activity of the essential oil, n-octyl acetate determines its antifungal action. The cytotoxic activity assessed on two normal kidney fibroblast cell lines: Vero (animal) and HEK-293 (human embryonic), and two human cancer cell lines: FaDu (squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx) and SCC25 (squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue), showed a moderate cytotoxicity with CC₅₀ values ranging from 262.3 to 567.8 μg/mL. Results indicate that normal cell lines were more sensitive to the tested essential oil than cancer cell lines. The antioxidant activity of oil and pure compounds was not significant.

Synthesis, antiviral activity and structure-activity relationship of 1-(1-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazoline)-3-chlorosulfonylureas and products of their cyclization

Novel 1-(1-aryl-4,5dihydro-1H-imidazoline)-3-chlorosulfonylourea derivatives 3a-3f were synthesized in the reaction of 1-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-amines with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate. The second series of compounds 4a-4f was prepared from the respective 1-(1-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazoline)-3-chlorsulfonylureas 3a-3f and 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI). The selected compounds were tested for their activity against Herpes simplex virus and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3). It was determined that three derivatives, i.e 3d, 4a and 4d are active against Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). Compounds 3d and 4c are active against CVB3. Their favorable activity can be primarily attributed to their low lipophilicity values. Moreover, the lack of substituent in the phenyl moiety or 4-methoxy substitution can be considered as the most beneficial for the antiviral activity.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of 1-(1,3-disubstitutedimidazolidyn-2-ylidene)-3-ethoxycarbonylmethylurea derivatives

Novel 1-(1,3-disubstituted-imidazolidyn-2-ylidene)-3-ethoxycarbonylmethylurea derivatives (3a-3j) were obtained from appropriate 1-aryl-3-arylsulfonyl-1H-imidazolidine-2-imines (1a-1j) and ethyl isocyanatoacetate (2), which were subjected to condensation. Seven compounds were tested for their antiviral activity against HSV-1 and CVB3 viruses. Among the tested compounds, 3c was found to be active against HSV-1, proving that 4-methoxy substituent as R and 4-methyl substituent as R1 are most beneficial for activity against this virus. Furthermore, 3e and 3g were active against CVB3, which demonstrated that both 4-methyl and 4-chloro substitution is tolerated as R1, whereas 4-chloro and 2-methoxy substituents are best as R. It was also shown that the active compounds are characterized by relatively big surface area, small ovality, and greatest HOMO and LUMO energies in comparison to the rest of the compounds.

Synthesis and in vitro activity of 1,2,4-triazole-ciprofloxacin hybrids against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant bacteria

A series of novel 1,2,4-triazole-ciprofloxacin hybrids was designed, synthesised and evaluated in vitro against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant bacteria. A significant part of the compounds obtained showed antibacterial activity higher than the activity of ciprofloxacin, both towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. Despite relatively small number of synthesised derivatives, it was possible to observe important dependences between their structure and activity.

Cytotoxicity, antioxidant activity and an effect on CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 of Mutellina purpurea L. extracts

Mutellina purpurea is an aromatic Apiaceae plant known as Alpine lovage. Its polar extracts consist of phenolic acids, tannins and flavonoids. The cytotoxic effect of methanolic and aqueous extracts from M. purpurea was studied on the most frequently used cell lines: HeLa and BHK-21. Taking into account that the natural products are often used with other medicines there is a risk of reciprocal interaction on the metabolic level. Thus, the influence of M. purpurea extracts was investigated on the activity of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, which are the most important P450 isoenzymes from the pharmacological and toxicological points of view. Additionally, because M. purpurea contains phenolic compounds, the antioxidative properties of this plant extracts were also studied and compared.

The influence of extracts from Peucedanum salinum on the replication of adenovirus type 5

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to examine the cytotoxicity and evaluate the antiviral and virucidal activity of methanol and methanol/H(2)O extracts from the herb of Peucedanum salinum. Plants belonging to the genus Peucedanum (Apiaceae family) have been used in traditional medicine for a long time.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The examination of the cytotoxicity of the extracts in the concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 mg/ml was carried out on the cell culture line HEK-293. Cytotoxicity of the examined extracts was measured by the colorimetric MTT (tetrazolium) method. After determination of the highest non-toxic concentration of examined extracts, antiviral and virucidal activity against adenovirus type 5 (Adenoviridae) was established.

RESULTS

The non-toxic doses were as follows: 1 mg/ml of methanol extract and 2 mg/ml of methanol/H(2)O extract (1 : 1 v/v). Antiviral activity was observed for the methanol extract of Peucedanum salinum in concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mg/ml. The extract caused the decrease of titre of the virus by 2 log and 1.33 log, respectively. The methanol/H(2)O extract (1 : 1 v/v) decreased the titre of the virus by 1.33 log and 1.5 log in concentrations of 1 and 2 mg/ml, respectively. The examined extracts had no virucidal activity against adenovirus type 5.

CONCLUSIONS

The examined extract is a new, potentially active source of active substances possessing antiviral activity and further studies are needed.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel fused 1,3-thiazoles and 1,3-thiazines incorporating a 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl residue

In an attempt to find a new class of antimicrobial agents, a series of benzothiazoles, 1,3-thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridines, 4H-3,1-benzothiazines, naphtho[2,3-d][1,3]thiazole-4,9-diones and other related compounds containing a 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl moiety were prepared. They were obtained via the reaction of aryl-modified sulfinyl[bis(2,4-dihydroxyphenylmethanethione)]s with appropriate commercial chemical reagents in the endocyclization processes. The MIC values of the compounds towards eight reference bacterial strains were assessed by the two-fold serial micro-dilution broth method. They exhibited inhibitory effects against the Gram-positive strains tested opposite to Gram-negative ones. Some compounds were more effective than the reference drug. 4-(6-Chloro-4H-3,1-benzothiazin-2-yl)-6-methylbenzene-1,3-diol (5b) due to its very good activity (MIC from 1.56 to 3.13 µg/mL) and low cytotoxicity (IC(50) > 50 µg/mL) may be regarded as a promising precursor for the development of novel antibacterial agents.

Synthesis and in vitro study of antiviral and virucidal activity of novel 2-[(4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)sulfanyl]acetamide derivatives

2-[(4-Methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)sulfanyl]acetamide derivatives were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. Cytotoxicity of the compounds towards HEK-293 and GMK cells was evaluated. Moreover, the antiviral and virucidal activities of these compounds against human adenovirus type 5 and ECHO-9 virus were assessed. Some of the newly synthesized derivatives have the potential to reduce the viral replication of both tested viruses.

Enteroviruses in water environment--a potential threat to public health

Enteroviruses belong to the Picornaviridae family and are the smallest, nonenveloped viruses known to infect both humans and animals. The spread of enteroviral infections is mainly by the faecal-oral and oral-oral route, but also through direct contact with secretions from ophthalmic and dermal lesions. Water, food and soil contaminated by infected faeces are an exogenous infection source which creates many opportunities for the transfer of the infection, and cause an epidemic outbreak in a short period of time. Enteroviruses are being isolated from all types of water: ground, sea, sewage and fresh water environments but also--and what is the most important from the epidemiological point of view--drinking water. They are resilient organisms, able to withstand high concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) and large changes in temperature. These abilities allow the viruses to flourish in a water environment, their natural reservoir. The number of infections in temperate climate regions peak in summer months and early autumn. Detection of enteroviruses in the water environment is performed by virus isolation in cell cultures and the use of molecular techniques. Many researches conducted in different countries with the use of methods mentioned above, reveal widespread environmental contamination by enteroviruses.

Identification of antibacterial and antiviral activities of novel fused 1,2,4-triazine esters

The in vitro biological activities of novel derivatives of methyl and ethyl 2-(4-oxo-8-aryl-2H-3,4,6,7-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)acetates (3a, 3d-j) have been evaluated and are reported. The final heterobicycles (3a-j) were obtained from monocyclic 1-aryl-2-hydrazonoimidazolidines (2a-f) by addition and cyclization reaction with fumaric acid esters. In particular, compounds 3d and 3e were found to exhibit comparable antibacterial potencies in vitro as that of ampicillin. Heterobicycles of the 3e, 3g and 3j type were screened for their antiviral activities against the selected viruses' DNA (human adenovirus type 5-Ad-5) and RNA (human enterovirus-Echo-9). Simultaneously, their cytotoxicities towards HEK-293 and GMK cells were established. In particular, heterobicycle 3j, completely non-toxic for GMK cells, was found to exhibit virucidal properties against Echo-9 virus justifying its further investigation as the potential antiviral agent.

[The prevalence of E6/E7 HPV type 16 in laryngeal cancer and in normal mucosa]

Many authors suggest that HPV infection can play a great role in development of benign and malignant tumours of upper respiratory tract in human. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of E6/E7 HPV-16 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and normal laryngeal mucosa, and to analyse their correlation with sex, lymph node status, primary tumor stage, localization, and histological differentiation. HPV 16 DNA presence was analysed using PCR technique in 72 samples of laryngeal carcinoma and in samples of 50 normal mucosa. Human papillomavirus was detected in 26 (36.1%) of the 72 patients. There was no statistically significant correlation HPV positivity and clinicopathological features of the analysed group. In 5 (10%) of 50 samples of normal mucosal. HPV 16 presence in normal mucosa and in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma was detected in 3 patients. Our observations suggest that HPV16 can play a role in pathogenesis of laryngeal cancer.

TT virus (TTV)--etiologic agent of acute hepatitis?

TT virus (TTV) was first isolated in 1997 from the patient with acute posttransfusion hepatitis. This fact led to the conclusion the virus was hepatotropic and could be considered as one of causative agents of acute hepatitis. However, later it was found in other human tissues and serological studies have revealed it is widespread. Multiple tropisms of TTV and the fact the virus is found in high rate of general population, are considered arguments for lack of medical significance of TTV in human pathology. Here we present a report of two cases of acute viral hepatitis in patients hospitalized at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, in whom TTV-DNA was found in serum and serological and virological markers of common primary and secondary hepatotropic viruses were negative. The cases of acute hepatitis we present here should be treated as a preliminary report and the comment in the discussion about the real role of TTV in human pathology.

Epstein-Barr virus antibodies in patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpesvirus family. The EBV genome consists of a linear DNA molecular that encoded nearly 100 viral proteins. EBV is one of the most successful viruses, infecting over 95 percent of the adult population of the world. Sera were collected from 61 patients (21 healthy patients without neoplasms, 30 cases with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and 10 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma). The sera were titrated for EBV IgM/VCA, IgG/VCA, IgG/EBNA, IgA/VCA, IgA/EBNA and IgA/EA antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Only 5 (12.8%) of 39 patients with cancer were positive for anti IgM/VCA and all the controls showed negative results. 36 (92.3%) of 39 patients with cancer and 17 (94.4%) of 18 of the control group were positive for anti IgG/VCA. Seropositive anti IgG/EBNA were detected in 27 (65.8%) of 41 cases of cancer and in 11 (61.1%) of 18 healthy control group. The positive anti IgA Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen was detected in 7 (17.9%) of 39 patients with cancer and all the control group showed negative result. No subject of the control group was positive for anti IgA Epstein-Barr early antigen and only one patient (2.56%) was positive from the group with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. 3 (7.69%) of 39 patients with cancer and 2 (11.1%) of 18 controls were positive for anti IgA Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen. The differences were not significant.

Study on the occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in ticks collected in Lublin region (eastern Poland)

In 114 Ixodes ricinus ticks from 1 district of Lublin region (eastern Poland) examined by dark field microscopy method, the presence of motile spirochetes, morphologically corresponding to Borrelia species was detected in 8.8% of the total examined ticks. The highest infection rate was noted among females (16.7%), much lower in males (7.1%) and nymphs (4.0%). Examination of 550 ticks collected from 3 districts of the Lublin region by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that 5.3% of the total number of ticks were infected with Borrelia spirochetes. The highest rates of Borrelia infection were observed in Ixodes ricinus ticks from the Zamość and Lublin districts (9.6% and 4.7% respectively). In the Włodawa district, only 2.4% ticks showed the presence of Borrelia DNA. In contrast to the results obtained by dark field microscopy method, the highest infection rate was noted in males (11.2%), followed by females (6.9%) and nymphs (1.7%). 57 Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from 3 Lublin districts (Lubartów, Lublin, Radzyń Podlaski) were tested for the presence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) by the inoculation of 5-week-old Swiss mice, followed by blind passages and inoculation of GMK cell culture with brain suspension of the infected mice. One strain of TBEV was isolated from a pool of 24 I. ricinus ticks collected from the Radzyń Podlaski district. The minimum infection rate of ticks from this district with TBEV was estimated as 4.2%, and in the total area of Lublin region estimated as 1.8%.

Phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes during haemodialysis in relation to some immunological findings

The present study demonstrated prolonged decreases of phagocytic activity by neutrophils in comparison to transitory neutropenias during haemodialysis with cuprophane membranes, remaining in connection with non-equalization immunological findings as C3 complement levels, circulating immune complexes and lysozyme activity at the end of haemodialysis.