Efficacy of calcium hypochlorite in disinfection of gutta-percha cones contaminated with Candida albicans

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2.5% calcium hypochlorite [Ca(OCl)2], and 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) in the rapid disinfection of gutta-percha cones contaminated with Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations of each solution for C. albicans were determined and the ability of each solution to destroy and inhibit biofilm in culture wells was tested. In addition, ninety-eight gutta-percha cones contaminated with the fungal suspension were disinfected according to the type of solution (2.5% NaOCl, 2.5% Ca(OCl)2 or 2% CHX) in its different application methods (without agitation, ultrasonic agitation or agitation with Easy Clean), and regarding the exposure time to each irrigating solution (1 or 5 min). Next, the samples were checked for turbidity and evaluation of viable colonies. The compounds that showed the best performance in biofilm destruction were NaOCl and Ca(OCl)2 at a concentration of 2xMIC (p < 0.001). Regarding inhibited biofilm, the only compound that was effective at all MIC concentrations tested was 2.5% Ca(OCl)2 (p < 0.0001). Regarding the viable colonies, all solutions were effective concerning the control group, for all application methods, in 1 and 5 min (p < 0.05). The densitometer reading showed that CHX was the only effective solution in all application methods performed (p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that all tested solutions were effective in the rapid decontamination of cones contaminated with C. albicans.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity Evaluation of Magnetite-Functionalized Eugenol.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1025029/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

In this work, we report, for the first time, the magnetite-functionalization and biological evaluation of eugenol by the co-precipitation method employed only Fe2+ under mild conditions and control from the amount of the incorporated magnetite. Magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and hydrodynamic size distribution (Zetasizer). SEM images showed that EUG·Fe3O4 is 200 nm in size and similar in shape to a nanoflower. The FTIR spectrum confirmed the presence of characteristic EUG and Fe3O4 bands in the EUG·Fe3O4 sample, while the XRD analysis showed that the magnetite functionalization with eugenol slightly affected the Fe3O4 crystal structure. The in vitro safety profile and cytotoxicity of free eugenol, magnetite pristine, EUG·Fe3O4 1:1, EUG·Fe3O4 1:5, and EUG·Fe3O4 1:10 was investigated using human cell lines (keratinocytes and melanoma). The results demonstrate the high biocompatibility of EUG·Fe3O4 in HaCat cells and the greater specificity for the A375 cell line. Furthermore, the magnetite-functionalized with eugenol decreased the toxic effects of free eugenol on healthy cells. Antibacterial tests were performed in different bacterial strains. The experimental data showed that among the magnetic compounds, the microorganisms were only sensitive to treatment with EUG·Fe3O4 1:1. Regarding the antibiofilm activity assay, it can be observed that only the EUG·Fe3O4 caused a significant decrease in biomass when compared to the positive control. Finally, it can be concluded that EUG·Fe3O4 proves to be a potential candidate for future studies for drug delivery of cancer and bacterial infections treatments.

Bioprospection of novel synthetic monocurcuminoids: Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and in vitro cytotoxic activities

The irrational use of medications has increased the incidence of microbial infections, which are a major threat to public health. Moreover, conventional therapeutic strategies are starting to become ineffective to treat these infections. Hence, there is a need to develop and characterize novel antimicrobial compounds. Phytochemicals are emerging as a safe and accessible alternative to conventional therapeutics for treating infectious diseases. Curcumin is extracted from the dried rhizome of the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae)). However, the bioavailability of curcumin is low owing to its lipophilic property and thus has a low therapeutic efficacy in the host. A previous study synthesized structural variants of curcumin, which are called monocurcuminoids (CNs). CNs are synthesized based on the chemical structure of curcumin with only one methyl bridge. The biological activities of four previously synthesized CNs (CN59, CN63, CN67, and CN77), curcumin, and turmeric powder were examined in this study. Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of curcumin and turmeric powder revealed similar peaks, which indicated the presence of curcumin in turmeric powder. The antioxidant activity of the test compounds was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) assays. The ABTS radical scavenging activities of the test compounds were similar to those of vitamin C. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the test compounds against seven microbial strains were in the range of 4.06-150 μg/mL. The MIC value was equal to minimum bactericidal concentration value for CN63 (150 μg/mL) and CN67 (120 μg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus. The treatment combination of CN77 (8.75 or 4.37 μg/mL) and turmeric powder (9.37 or 4.68 μg/mL) exerted synergistic growth-inhibiting effects on Aeromonas hydrophila, Candida albicans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Photodynamic therapy using 2X MIC of CN59 decreased the growth of Enterococcus faecalis by 4.18-fold compared to the control group and completely inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli. The results of the hemolytic assay revealed that the test compounds were not cytotoxic with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values ranging from 49.65-130.9 μM. The anticoagulant activity of most compounds was comparable to that of warfarin but higher than that of heparin. This indicated that these compounds target the intrinsic coagulation pathway. These results demonstrated that these CNs are a safe and promising alternative for curcumin.

Characterisation and anti-biofilm activity of glycerol monolaurate nanocapsules against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous microorganism that commonly causes hospital-acquired infections, including pneumonia, bloodstream and urinary tract infections and it is well known for chronically colonising the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis, causing severe intermittent exacerbation of the condition. P. aeruginosa may appear in the free form cell but also grows in biofilm communities adhered to a surface. An alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents are nanoparticles that can act as carriers for antibiotics and other drugs. In this context, the study aimed to characterise and verify the anti-biofilm potential of GML Nanocapsules against P. aeruginosa. The nanocapsules showed a mean diameter of 190.7 nm, polydispersion index of 0.069, the zeta potential of -23.3 mV. The microdilution test showed a MIC of 62.5 μg/mL to GML and 15.62 μg/mL to GML Nanocapsules. The anti-biofilm experiments demonstrated the significant reduction of biomass, proteins, polysaccharide and viable P. aeruginosa in biofilm treated with GML Nanocapsules while the free GML did not cause an effect. The AFM images showed a decrease in a biofilm which received GML. The positive results suggest an alternative for the public health trouble related to infections associated with biofilm.

Insecticidal Action of Glycerol Monolaurate against the Lesser Mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) and its Ecotoxicological Effect on Enchytraeus crypticus

Background: Alphitobius diaperinus, known as the lesser mealworm, is recognized as a problem for the poultry production sector. Several chemical methods have been employed in an attempt to control it, without successful results. Thus, alternative methods should be considered as an interesting approach to control this type of infestation. A recent study showed that glycerol monolaurate (GML) possesses insecticidal effect against bees. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the effect of GLM against the larval and adult forms of the lesser mealworm in vitro, and to verify whether GLM treated poultry litter used as soil fertilizer exerts any negative effect on its fauna.Materials, Methods & Results: In vitro tests were performed using three concentrations of GLM: 0.2, 0.4 and 1 mg mL-1, and the number of dead larvae and adults of A. diaperinus was counted on days 0, 2, 5 and 8 post-treatment. Poultry litter was pulverized with 1 mg mL-1 of GML, maintained under controlled conditions for 20 days and revolved every two days. Two ecotoxicological tests were performed using Enchytraeus crypticus. In the first test, GML was applied directly into the soil at doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg kg-1 of soil, while the second test used poultry litter as soil fertilizer at concentrations of 0, 2, 4 and 8 tons per hectare. Insecticidal action of GML against larvae and adults of A. diaperinus where only the 1 mg mL-1 concentration showed positive effect. GML caused 100% mortality of larvae two days after the beginning of treatment. Similarly, GML showed high efficacy to control adult forms of A. diaperinus, causing 83 and 90% of mortality on days 5 and 8 post-treatment, respectively. No difference was observed while applying GML directly at doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg kg-1 in the TAS when compared to the control group, similarly to what was observed using poultry litter containing 1 mg/m2 of GML at concentrations of 0, 2, 4 and 8 tons per hectare compared to the control group.Discussion: GML treatment exerted larvicidal and insecticidal action in vitro against A. diaperinus, similarly to what was observed by researchers against bees, where this product was able to eliminate 55% of the bees after 120 h of treatment. GML insecticidal mechanism of action is poorly investigated and remains unknown. However, there are evidences regarding its antimicrobial property using Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Enterococcus faecalis, as well as its capacity to inhibit some virulence factors linked to antimicrobial resistance. Some tests have been performed in order to reduce the use of chemical products, as Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), Ocotea odorifera (popularly known as sassafras) and Eucalyptus viminalis (popularly known as eucalypt) essential oils exerts insecticidal action against the larvae and adults of mealworms. The main chemical used to control A. diaperinus is cypermethrin, a chemical product that can damage the soil fauna due to its intensive utilization. The use of GML did not cause negative effects in the soil fauna, in disagreement other study with GML at concentrations of 50 and 100 µg mL-1 and found negative effects on the soil fauna using adults and juvenile forms of springtails (Folsomia candida) as biomarkers, showing a LD50 of 41 µg mL-1. Based on these evidences, we can suggest that the toxicity of GML to soil fauna is related to the biomarker used to determine the toxicity. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that GML possesses insecticidal action without toxic effects for the soil fauna, demonstrating potential as an alternative method to control the lesser mealworm.

Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical characterization of Carya illinoensis

Carya illinoensis is a widespread species, belonging to the Juglandaceae family, commonly known as Pecan. Popularly, the leaves have been used in the treatment of smoking as a hypoglycemic, cleansing, astringent, keratolytic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial agent. The following research aimed to identify for the first time the phytochemical compounds present in the leaves of C. illinoensis and carry out the determination of antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The antimicrobial activity was tested against 20 microorganisms by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Phenolic acids (gallic acid and ellagic acid), flavonoids (rutin), and tannins (catechins and epicatechins) were identified by HPLC-DAD and may be partially responsible for the antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and yeast. The results showed MIC values between 25 mg/mL and 0.78 mg/mL. The extracts were also able to inhibit the production of germ tubes by Candida albicans.

Antimicrobial activity of Amazonian oils against Paenibacillus species

The Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium Paenibacillus larvae is the primary bacterial pathogen of honeybee brood and the causative agent of American foulbrood disease (AFB). One of the feasible alternative treatments being used for their control of this disease is essential oils. In this study in vitro antimicrobial activity of Andiroba and Copaíba essential oils against Paenibacillus species, including P. larvae was evaluated. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in Mueller-Hinton broth by the microdilution method was assessed. Andiroba registered MIC values of 1.56-25%, while the MICs values obtained for Copaíba oil were of 1.56-12.5%. In order to determine the time-response effect of essential oils on P. larvae, this microorganism was exposed to the oils for up to 48 h. After 24 h treatment with Andiroba oil and after 48 h treatment with Copaíba oil no viable cells of P. larvae ATCC 9545 were observed. The possible toxic effect of essential oils were assessed by the spraying application method of the same concentrations of MICs. Bee mortality was evident only in treatment with Andiroba oil and the Copaíba oil shows no toxic effects after 10 days of observation. Taking together ours results showed for the first time that these oils presented a high activity against Paenibacillus species showing that Copaíba oil may be a candidate for the treatment or prevention of AFB.