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Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a widespread condition in pets, with many antibiotics being prescribed, contributing to the rise in antimicrobial resistance, which...
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a widespread condition in pets, with many antibiotics being prescribed, contributing to the rise in antimicrobial resistance, which is a worldwide threat. This study's main objective was to analyze the in vitro antimicrobial activity of and fruit hydro-ethanolic extracts towards bacteria identified in the urine of companion animals experiencing UTIs. Urine samples were collected from dogs and cats ( = 83; 47 negative, 36 positive); several bacterial strains were identified ( = 49) belonging to the , , , , , , , , , and genera. Bacterial susceptibility was tested using the disk diffusion method, with the majority being resistant to several beta-lactams, quinolones, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and nitrofurantoin. Subsequently, 13 resistant isolates were selected to evaluate the fruits extracts' antimicrobial potential using the agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. exhibited the greatest activity against Gram-negatives (primarily ), while showed maximum effects towards Gram-positives (particularly ). The MIC was 0.01 μg/μL for both extracts; the MBC was 0.08 μg/μL for and 0.05 μg/μL for . However, showed a stronger bactericidal effect. This is the first study to investigate these fruit extracts in UTI isolates of companion animals, and these extracts might be used as substitutes or adjuvants for antibiotics, thus contributing to a reduction in antimicrobial resistance.
PubMed: 38931481
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060814 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Due to its rapid resistance development and ability to form biofilms, treatment of infections is becoming more complicated by the day. Drug combinations may help reduce...
BACKGROUND
Due to its rapid resistance development and ability to form biofilms, treatment of infections is becoming more complicated by the day. Drug combinations may help reduce both resistance and biofilm formation.
METHODS
Using the microtiter plate assay, we investigated the in vitro inhibition of biofilm formation and the disruption of preformed biofilms in multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant clinical isolates of in the presence of peak plasma levels of eight antipseudomonal antibiotics alone and in combination with fosfomycin: ceftazidime, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime, imipenem, gentamicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin and colistin.
RESULTS
Combination therapy was significantly superior to monotherapy in its inhibition of biofilm formation. The highest inhibition rates were observed for combinations with colistin, cefepime and ceftazidime.
CONCLUSION
Our results support fosfomycin combination therapy as an enhanced prophylactic option. Moreover, combinations with β-lactam antibiotics and colistin demonstrated a more potent inhibition effect on biofilm formation than protein synthesis inhibitors.
PubMed: 38931436
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060769 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Bee-collected pollen (BCP) and bee bread (BB) are honey bee products known for their beneficial biological properties. The main goal of this study was to investigate BB...
Bee-collected pollen (BCP) and bee bread (BB) are honey bee products known for their beneficial biological properties. The main goal of this study was to investigate BB microbiota and its contribution to bioactivity exerted by BB. The microbiota of BB samples collected at different maturation stages was investigated via culture-independent (Next Generation Sequencing, NGS) and culture-dependent methods. Microbial communities dynamically fluctuate during BB maturation, ending in a stable microbial community structure in mature BB. Bee bread bacterial isolates were tested for phenotypes and genes implicated in the production and secretion of enzymes as well as antibacterial activity. Out of 309 bacterial isolates, 41 secreted hemicellulases, 13 cellulases, 39 amylases, 132 proteinases, 85 Coomassie brilliant blue G or R dye-degrading enzymes and 72 Malachite Green dye-degrading enzymes. Furthermore, out of 309 bacterial isolates, 42 exhibited antibacterial activity against , 34 against , 47 against ser. Typhimurium and 43 against . Artificially fermented samples exerted higher antibacterial activity compared to fresh BCP, strongly indicating that BB microbiota contribute to BB antibacterial activity. Our findings suggest that BB microbiota is an underexplored source of novel antimicrobial agents and enzymes that could lead to new applications in medicine and the food industry.
PubMed: 38931428
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060761 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Nowadays, lipidomics plays a crucial role in the investigation of novel biomarkers of various diseases. Its implementation into the field of clinical analysis led to the...
Nowadays, lipidomics plays a crucial role in the investigation of novel biomarkers of various diseases. Its implementation into the field of clinical analysis led to the identification of specific lipids and/or significant changes in their plasma levels in patients suffering from cancer, Alzheimer's disease, sepsis, and many other diseases and pathological conditions. Profiling of lipids and determination of their plasma concentrations could also be helpful in the case of drug therapy management, especially in combination with therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Here, for the first time, a combined approach based on the TDM of colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, and lipidomic profiling is presented in a case study of a critically ill male patient suffering from -induced pneumonia. Implementation of innovative analytical approaches for TDM (online combination of capillary electrophoresis with tandem mass spectrometry, CZE-MS/MS) and lipidomics (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, LC-MS/MS) was demonstrated. The CZE-MS/MS strategy confirmed the chosen colistin drug dosing regimen, leading to stable colistin concentrations in plasma samples. The determined colistin concentrations in plasma samples reached the required minimal inhibitory concentration of 1 μg/mL. The complex lipidomics approach led to monitoring 545 lipids in collected patient plasma samples during and after the therapy. Some changes in specific individual lipids were in good agreement with previous lipidomics studies dealing with sepsis. The presented case study represents a good starting point for identifying particular individual lipids that could correlate with antimicrobial and inflammation therapeutic management.
PubMed: 38931420
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060753 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024A tremendous increase in the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has been noticed in the last decades, which is due to their unique properties at the nano...
Exploring the Potential of Halotolerant Actinomycetes from Rann of Kutch, India: A Study on the Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications of Silver Nanoparticles.
A tremendous increase in the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has been noticed in the last decades, which is due to their unique properties at the nano dimension. The present research work deals with synthesis mediated by the actinomycete of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), isolated from Little and Greater Rann of Kutch, India. The confirmation of the formation of AgNPs by the actinomycetes was carried out by using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer where an absorbance peak was obtained at 420 nm. The X-ray diffraction pattern demonstrated five characteristic diffraction peaks indexed at the lattice plane (111), (200), (231), (222), and (220). Fourier transform infrared showed typical bands at 531 to 1635, 2111, and 3328 cm. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the spherical-shaped AgNPs particles have diameters in the range of 40 to 90 nm. The particle size analysis displayed the mean particle size of AgNPs in aqueous medium, which was about 55 nm (±27 nm), bearing a negative charge on their surfaces. The potential of the -mediated synthesized AgNPs was evaluated for their antimicrobial, anti-methicillin-resistant (MRSA), anti-biofilm, and anti-oxidant activity. The maximum inhibitory effect was observed against at (8 µg/mL), followed by and at (32 µg/mL), and against (64 µg/mL), whereas (128 µg/mL) and (256 µg/mL) were much less sensitive to AgNPs. The biosynthesized AgNPs displayed activity against MRSA, and the free radical scavenging activity was observed with an increase in the dosage of AgNPs from 25 to 200 µg/mL. AgNPs in combination with ampicillin displayed inhibition of the development of biofilm in and at 98% and 83%, respectively. AgNPs were also successfully coated on the surface of cotton to prepare antimicrobial surgical cotton, which demonstrated inhibitory action against (15 mm) and (12 mm). The present research integrates microbiology, nanotechnology, and biomedical science to formulate environmentally friendly antimicrobial materials using halotolerant actinomycetes, evolving green nanotechnology in the biomedical field. Moreover, this study broadens the understanding of halotolerant actinomycetes and their potential and opens possibilities for formulating new antimicrobial products and therapies.
PubMed: 38931410
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060743 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The importance of natural plant materials in modern medicine is considerable, and raw materials with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties are... (Review)
Review
The importance of natural plant materials in modern medicine is considerable, and raw materials with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties are still sought because of microbe resistance and difficulties in anticancer therapy. This review focuses on the lemongrass (DC.) Stapf. and on the lemongrass oil properties and applications. Multiple applications of this plant were described in different latitudes and cultures, including cases of digestive disorders and anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, diaphoretic, stimulating, and antispasmodic conditions. Data from the literature on the composition of essential oil and extracts from were analyzed, and the results of research on the antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral effects were quoted. Essential oil inhibits the growth of fungi (, , spp.) and has an antibacterial effect (, , ). It also shows antiviral activity and deters insects. Lemongrass contains active substances with potential anticancer effects. This plant has apoptosis-stimulating properties, mainly through the activity of apigenin, which is the main active flavonoid in this plant. This active substance helps inhibit cell proliferation by stopping the cell cycle and directing cancer cells toward apoptosis.
PubMed: 38931371
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060705 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The use of rhizospheric SynComs can be a new and sustainable strategy in the agrobiotechnology sector. The objective of this study was to create the most appropriate...
The use of rhizospheric SynComs can be a new and sustainable strategy in the agrobiotechnology sector. The objective of this study was to create the most appropriate SynCom composition; examine the ability to dissolve natural rock phosphate (RP) from Morocco in liquid-modified NBRIP medium; determine organic acids, and phytohormones; and verify plant growth promoting and nutrition uptake effect in the pot experiments of winter wheat (). A total of nine different microorganisms were isolated, which belonged to three different genera: , , and . Out of the 21 treatments tested, four SynComs had the best phosphate-dissolving properties: IJAK-27+44+91 (129.17 mg L), IIBEI-32+40 (90.95 µg mL), IIIDEG-45+41 (122.78 mg L), and IIIDEG-45+41+72 (120.78 mg L). We demonstrate that these SynComs are capable of producing lactic, acetic, gluconic, malic, oxalic, citric acids, and phytohormones such as indole-3-acetic acid, zeatin, gibberellic acid, and abscisic acid. In pot experiments with winter wheat, we also demonstrated that the designed SynComs were able to effectively colonize the plant root rhizosphere and contributed to more abundant plant growth characteristics and nutrient uptake as uninoculated treatment or uninoculated treatment with superphosphate (NPK 0-19-0). The obtained results show that the SynCom compositions of IJAK-27+44+91, IIBEI-32+40, IIIDEG-45+41, and IIIDEG-45+41+72 can be considered as promising candidates for developing biofertilizers to facilitate P absorption and increase plant nutrition.
PubMed: 38931148
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121716 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Endophytic microorganisms represent promising solutions to environmental challenges inherent in conventional agricultural practices. This study concentrates on the...
Endophytic microorganisms represent promising solutions to environmental challenges inherent in conventional agricultural practices. This study concentrates on the identification of endophytic bacteria isolated from the root, stem, and leaf tissues of four plant species. Sixty-one strains were isolated and sequenced by 16S rDNA. Sequencing revealed diverse genera among the isolated bacteria from different species, including , , , and . AR11 and VR24 obtained from the roots of and demonstrated significant inhibition on c.f. mycelial growth. In addition, AR11, AR32, and CR25 exhibited significant activity in phosphatase solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and indole production, highlighting their potential to facilitate plant growth. A comparative analysis of species showed that root isolates from , , and have beneficial properties for inhibiting pathogen growth and enhancing plant growth. AR11 with 100% similarity to , could be considered a promising candidate for further investigation as microbial biofertilizers. This finding highlights their potential as environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides, thereby contributing to sustainable crop protection practices.
PubMed: 38931116
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121684 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Bacterial endophytes (120) were isolated from six halophytes (, , , , , and ). These halophiles were molecularly identified and characterized with or without NaCl...
Bacterial endophytes (120) were isolated from six halophytes (, , , , , and ). These halophiles were molecularly identified and characterized with or without NaCl conditions. Characterization was based on tests such as indole acetic acid (IAA), exopolysaccharides (EPS), and siderophores (SID) production; solubilization of phosphate (P), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn); mineralization of phytate; enzymatic activity (acid and alkaline phosphatase, phytases, xylanases, and chitinases) and the mineralization/solubilization mechanisms involved (organic acids and sugars). Moreover, compatibility among bacteria was assessed. Eleven halophiles were characterized as highly tolerant to NaCl (2.5 M). The bacteria isolated were all different from each other. Two belonged to and one to while the rest of bacteria were identified up to the genus level as belonging to , , and three strains of The biochemical responses of nutrient solubilization and enzymatic activity were different between bacteria and were influenced by the presence of NaCl. Organic acids were involved in P mineralization and nutrient solubilization. Tartaric acid was common in the solubilization of P, Zn, and K. Maleic and vanillic acid were only detected in Zn and K solubilization, respectively. Furthermore, sugars appeared to be involved in the solubilization of nutrients; fructose was detected in the solubilization tests. Therefore, these biochemical bacterial characteristics should be corroborated in vivo and tested as a consortium to mitigate saline stress in glycophytes under a global climate change scheme that threatens to exacerbate soil salinity.
PubMed: 38931058
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121626 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024In response to the global rise in antibiotic resistance and the prevalence of bacterial biofilm-related infections, the antibacterial efficacy of methanolic, ethanolic,...
In response to the global rise in antibiotic resistance and the prevalence of bacterial biofilm-related infections, the antibacterial efficacy of methanolic, ethanolic, and aqueous extracts of 18 Lamiaceae plants from Serbia was evaluated. The total coumarins and triterpenes were detected spectrophotometrically, while a microdilution assay measured their effects on bacterial growth. Additionally, the impact of these extracts was assessed on PAO1 adhesion and invasion in human fibroblasts and biofilm formation and degradation. The alcoholic extracts had the highest phytochemical content, with and being the richest in coumarins and triterpenes, respectively. Gram-positive bacteria, particularly , were more susceptible to the extracts. ethanolic and methanolic extracts inhibited bacterial growth the most efficiently. Although the extracts did not inhibit bacterial adhesion, most ethanolic extracts significantly reduced bacterial invasion. and ethanolic extracts significantly inhibited biofilm formation, while extract was the most active in biofilm degradation. This study significantly contributes to the literature by examining the antibacterial activity of Lamiaceae extracts, addressing major literature gaps, and underscoring their antibacterial potential, particularly and ethanolic extracts, linking their efficacy to coumarins and triterpenes.
PubMed: 38931048
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121616