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Viruses May 2024Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect the bacteria within which their reproduction cycle takes place, a process that ends in the lysis and death of the...
Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect the bacteria within which their reproduction cycle takes place, a process that ends in the lysis and death of the bacterial cell. Some phages are also able to destroy bacterial biofilms. Due to increased antibiotics resistance, , another biofilm-forming pathogen, is a problem in many parts of the world. Zinc oxide (ZnO) and other metal nanoparticles (NPs) are biologically active and also possess anti-biofilm properties. ZnO-NPs were prepared by the green synthesis method using orange peels. The vibrational peaks of the ZnO-NPs were analyzed using FTIR analysis, and their size and morphological properties were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ability of the ZnO-NPs to reduce or eliminate biofilm alone or in combination with phages PB10 and PA19 was investigated. The cells were effectively killed in the preformed 48 h biofilms during a 24 h incubation with the ZnO-NP-phage combination, in comparison with the control or ZnO-NPs alone. The treatments on growing biofilms were most efficient in the final stages of biofilm development. All five treatment groups showed a significant biofilm reduction compared to the control group ( < 0.0001) at 48 h of incubation. The influence of the ZnO-NPs and phages on the quorum sensing system of was monitored by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) of the autoinducer biosynthesis gene . While the ZnO-NPs repressed the gene transcription, the phages slightly activated it at 24 and 48 h of incubation. Also, the effect of the ZnO-NPs and phage PA19 on the viability of HFF2 cells was investigated and the results showed that the combination of NPs with PA19 reduced the toxic effect of ZnO-NPs and also stimulated the growth in normal cells.
Topics: Zinc Oxide; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Biofilms; Metal Nanoparticles; Green Chemistry Technology; Bacteriophages; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38932188
DOI: 10.3390/v16060897 -
Pharmaceutics May 2024The increasing prevalence of diabetic wounds presents a significant challenge due to the difficulty of natural healing and various obstacles. (DB) and (AT) are well...
The increasing prevalence of diabetic wounds presents a significant challenge due to the difficulty of natural healing and various obstacles. (DB) and (AT) are well recognized for their potent healing abilities, which include potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, electrospun nanofibers (NFs) based on polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were co-loaded with both DB and AT, aiming to magnify their efficacy as wound-dressing applications for diabetic wound healing. The evaluation of these NFs as wound dressings was conducted using a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Electrospun NFs were prepared using the electrospinning of the PVP polymer, resulting in nanofibers with consistent, smooth surfaces. The loading capacity (LC) of AT and DB into NFs was 64.1 and 70.4 µg/mg, respectively, while in the co-loaded NFs, LC was 49.6 for AT and 57.2 µg/mg for DB. In addition, X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that DB and AT were amorphously dispersed within the NFs. The loaded NFs showed a dissolution time of 30 s in PBS (pH 7.4), which facilitated the release of AT and DB (25-38% after 10 min), followed by a complete release achieved after 180 min. The antibacterial evaluation demonstrated that the DB-AT mixture had potent activity against () and (). Along with that, the DB-AT NFs showed effective growth inhibition for both and compared to the control NFs. Moreover, wound healing was evaluated in vivo in diabetic Wistar rats over 14 days. The results revealed that the DB-AT NFs improved wound healing within 14 days significantly compared to the other groups. These results highlight the potential application of the developed DB-AT NFs in wound healing management, particularly in diabetic wounds.
PubMed: 38931828
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060704 -
Pharmaceutics May 2024Skin lesions are an important health concern, exposing the body to infection risks. Utilizing natural products containing chamomile ( L.) holds promise for curative...
Skin lesions are an important health concern, exposing the body to infection risks. Utilizing natural products containing chamomile ( L.) holds promise for curative purposes. Additionally, hyaluronic acid (HA), an active ingredient known for its tissue regeneration capacity, can expedite healing. In this study, we prepared and characterized an extract of and integrated it into a nanoemulsion system stabilized with HA, aiming at harnessing its healing potential. We assessed the impact of alcoholic strength on flavonoid extraction and chemically characterized the extract using UHPLC/MS while quantifying its antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity. We developed a nanoemulsion loaded with extract and evaluated the effect of HA stabilization on pH, droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and viscosity. Results indicated that 70% hydroalcoholic extraction yielded a higher flavonoid content. The extract exhibited antioxidant capacity in vitro, a desirable trait for skin regeneration, and demonstrated efficacy against key microbial strains (, , , and ) associated with skin colonization and infections. Flavonoids spireoside and apiin emerged as the most abundant bioactives. The addition of HA led to increased viscosity while maintaining a suitable pH for topical application. Zeta potential, droplet size, and PDI met acceptable criteria. Moreover, incorporating extract into the nanoemulsion enhanced its antimicrobial effect. Hence, the nanoemulsion system loaded with and HA stabilization exhibits favorable characteristics for topical application, showing promise in aiding the healing processes.
PubMed: 38931825
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060701 -
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 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 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Despite its well-known fragrance in cosmetics and medicine, a complete understanding of the phytochemical properties within by-products generated during commercial...
Despite its well-known fragrance in cosmetics and medicine, a complete understanding of the phytochemical properties within by-products generated during commercial extraction of Damask rose remains elusive. Cultivated in Thailand for their essential oil, Damask rose varieties, including Mon Dang Prasert, Mon Klai Kangwon, and Bishop's Castle, share phenylethyl alcohol (57.62-61.11%) as the dominant component, which is responsible for their characteristic floral, sweet, rosy, and bready aroma. Through a circular hydro-distillation process, three different by-product fractions, including distilled water (D), hydrosol (H), and rose dreg (R), were recovered. Subsequently, we assessed their pharmaceutical potential, including the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenesis properties of these residual substances. The H fraction displayed the highest total phenolics (10.56 mgGAE/g) and flavonoids (6.93 mgCE/g) and significant antioxidant activity (IC, 0.67-0.97 µg/mL). While the H fraction inhibited melanin formation at 50 μg/mL, the R fraction of MK (100 μg/mL) surprisingly promoted melanin production in B16-F10 cells. Nevertheless, the antimicrobial assay against , , , , , and revealed no antimicrobial activity in any fraction. Murine macrophage stimulation (J774A.1) with lipopolysaccharide revealed no anti-inflammatory effects from the by-products, as measured by IL-1β production. In summary, the H fraction exhibited the highest level of phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant and anti-melanogenesis activities. Therefore, this by-product is a desirable choice for the development of value-added products such as functional food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products.
PubMed: 38931037
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121605