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PloS One 2024Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) applications have emerged as an ideal substitute for synthetic chemicals by their ability to improve plant nutrition and...
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) applications have emerged as an ideal substitute for synthetic chemicals by their ability to improve plant nutrition and resistance against pathogens. In this study, we isolated fourteen root endophytes from healthy wheat roots cultivated in Tunisia. The isolates were identified based from their 16S rRNA gene sequences. They belonged to Bacillota and Pseudomonadota taxa. Fourteen strains were tested for their growth-promoting and defense-eliciting potentials on durum wheat under greenhouse conditions, and for their in vitro biocontrol power against Fusarium culmorum, an ascomycete responsible for seedling blight, foot and root rot, and head blight diseases of wheat. We found that all the strains improved shoot and/or root biomass accumulation, with Bacillus mojavensis, Paenibacillus peoriae and Variovorax paradoxus showing the strongest promoting effects. These physiological effects were correlated with the plant growth-promoting traits of the bacterial endophytes, which produced indole-related compounds, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and solubilized phosphate and zinc. Likewise, plant defense accumulations were modulated lastingly and systematically in roots and leaves by all the strains. Testing in vitro antagonism against F. culmorum revealed an inhibition activity exceeding 40% for five strains: Bacillus cereus, Paenibacillus peoriae, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Pantoae agglomerans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These strains exhibited significant inhibitory effects on F. culmorum mycelia growth, sporulation, and/or macroconidia germination. P. peoriae performed best, with total inhibition of sporulation and macroconidia germination. These finding highlight the effectiveness of root bacterial endophytes in promoting plant growth and resistance, and in controlling phytopathogens such as F. culmorum. This is the first report identifying 14 bacterial candidates as potential agents for the control of F. culmorum, of which Paenibacillus peoriae and/or its intracellular metabolites have potential for development as biopesticides.
Topics: Fusarium; Triticum; Endophytes; Biological Control Agents; Plant Diseases; Plant Roots; Tunisia; Bacteria; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 38758965
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300791 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Pradimicin U is a new dihydrobenzo[a]naphthacenequinone compound found to be active on a screen designed to investigate compounds with antimicrobial activity, produced...
Pradimicin U is a new dihydrobenzo[a]naphthacenequinone compound found to be active on a screen designed to investigate compounds with antimicrobial activity, produced by the actinomycete designated strain FMUSA5-5. The strain was isolated from a bio-fertilizer of Musa spp. collected from Suphanburi province, Thailand. The chemotaxonomic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed that strain FMUSA5-5 is a member of the genus Nonomuraea. Low genome-based taxonomic criteria, average nucleotide identity (ANI) (82.8-88.3%), average amino-acid identity (AAI) (79.4-87.3%), and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) (29.5-38.5%) values and several phenotypic differences between strain FMUSA5-5 and its closest type strains of the genus Nonomuraea indicated that strain FMUSA5-5 represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea and the name Nonomuraea composti sp. nov. is proposed for the strain. The crude extract from the culture broth of strain FMUSA5-5 displayed promising antimicrobial activity against several pathogens and led to the isolation of a novel secondary metabolite, pradimicin U. Interestingly, this compound displayed a broad spectrum of biological activities such as antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum K1 (IC value = 3.65 µg/mL), anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (MIC value = 25.0 µg/mL), anti-Alternaria brassicicola BCC 42724 (MIC value = 25.0 µg/mL), anti-Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778 and anti-Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (MIC values = 6.25 and 1.56 µg/mL, respectively). Moreover, the compound possessed strong anti-human small cell lung cancer (NCI-H187) activity with IC value of 5.69 µg/mL, while cytotoxicity against human breast cancer (MCF-7) and Vero cells was very weak (IC values of 52.49 and 21.84 µg/mL, respectively).
Topics: Humans; Anti-Infective Agents; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phylogeny; Actinomycetales; Animals; Thailand; Vero Cells; Musa; Plasmodium falciparum; Chlorocebus aethiops
PubMed: 38740839
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60744-w -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024Yamogenin is a steroidal saponin occurring in plant species such as , , , and sp. In this study, we evaluated in vitro cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial...
An In Vitro Study on the Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Properties of Yamogenin-A Plant Steroidal Saponin and Evaluation of Its Mechanism of Action in Gastric Cancer Cells.
Yamogenin is a steroidal saponin occurring in plant species such as , , , and sp. In this study, we evaluated in vitro cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of yamogenin. The cytotoxic activity was estimated on human colon cancer HCT116, gastric cancer AGS, squamous carcinoma UM-SCC-6 cells, and human normal fibroblasts with MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. The amount of apoptotic and dead AGS cells after treatment with yamogenin was estimated with flow cytometry. Also, in yamogenin-treated AGS cells we investigated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, activity level of caspase-8 and -9, and gene expression at mRNA level with flow cytometry, luminometry, and RT-PCR, respectively. The antioxidant properties of yamogenin were assessed with DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays. The antimicrobial potential of the compound was estimated on , , , , , , , , , , and bacteria strains. Yamogenin showed the strongest cytotoxic effect on AGS cells (IC 18.50 ± 1.24 µg/mL) among the tested cell lines. This effect was significantly stronger in combinations of yamogenin with oxaliplatin or capecitabine than for the single compounds. Furthermore, yamogenin induced ROS production, depolarized mitochondrial membrane, and increased the activity level of caspase-8 and -9 in AGS cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that this sapogenin strongly up-regulated expression at the mRNA level. These results indicate that yamogenin induced cell death via the extrinsic and intrinsic way of apoptosis. Antioxidant study showed that yamogenin had moderate in vitro potential (IC 704.7 ± 5.9 µg/mL in DPPH and 631.09 ± 3.51 µg/mL in ABTS assay) as well as the inhibition of protein denaturation properties (with IC 1421.92 ± 6.06 µg/mL). Antimicrobial test revealed a weak effect of yamogenin on bacteria strains, the strongest one being against (with MIC value of 350 µg/mL). In conclusion, yamogenin may be a potential candidate for the treatment and prevention of gastric cancers.
Topics: Humans; Antioxidants; Saponins; Stomach Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Apoptosis; Reactive Oxygen Species; Anti-Infective Agents; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Plant Extracts; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
PubMed: 38731847
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094627 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024A novel second-generation blue fluorescent polyamidoamine dendrimer peripherally modified with sixteen 4--dimethylaninoethyloxy-1,8-naphthalimide units was synthesized....
A novel second-generation blue fluorescent polyamidoamine dendrimer peripherally modified with sixteen 4--dimethylaninoethyloxy-1,8-naphthalimide units was synthesized. Its basic photophysical characteristics were investigated in organic solvents of different polarity. It was found that in these solvents, the dendrimer is colorless and emitted blue fluorescence with different intensities depending on their polarity. The effect of the pH of the medium on the fluorescence intensity was investigated and it was found that in the acidic medium, the fluorescence is intense and is quenched in the alkaline medium. The ability of the dendrimer to detect metal ions (Pb, Zn, Mg, Sn, Ba, Ni, Sn, Mn, Co, Fe, and Al) was also investigated, and it was found that in the presence of Fe, the fluorescent intensity was amplified more than 66 times. The antimicrobial activity of the new compound has been tested in vitro against Gram-positive and Gram-negative . The tests were performed in the dark and after irradiation with visible light. The antimicrobial activity of the compound enhanced after light irradiation and was found slightly more sensitive than . The increase in antimicrobial activity after light irradiation is due to the generation of singlet oxygen particles, which attack bacterial cell membranes.
Topics: Naphthalimides; Dendrimers; Polyamines; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Fluorescence; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Bacillus cereus; Light; Fluorescent Dyes; Spectrometry, Fluorescence
PubMed: 38731451
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29091960 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The root of L. has been widely used in traditional medicine for its antimicrobial properties. In this study, the fractionation of methanol extract from the root was...
The root of L. has been widely used in traditional medicine for its antimicrobial properties. In this study, the fractionation of methanol extract from the root was conducted. Four fractions (A, B, C, and D) were obtained and tested against a range of bacteria and fungi. The results showed promising antibacterial activity, especially against , where the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined to be equal to 0.08 mg/mL and 0.16 mg/mL for heptane (fraction B) and ethyl acetate (fraction C), respectively. In the case of the methicillin-resistant (MRSA) ATCC 43300 strain, the same fractions yielded higher MIC values (2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL, respectively). This was accompanied by a lack of apparent cytotoxicity to normal human BJ foreskin fibroblasts, enterocytes derived from CaCo2 cells, and zebrafish embryos. Further analyses revealed the presence of bioactive chlorogenic acids in the fractionated extract, especially in the ethyl acetate fraction (C). These findings support the traditional use of the root from and pave the way for the development of new formulations for treating bacterial infections. This was further evaluated in a proof-of-concept experiment where fraction C was used in the ointment formulation, which maintained high antimicrobial activity against MRSA and displayed low toxicity towards cultured fibroblasts.
Topics: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Bacillus cereus; Plant Extracts; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Plant Roots; Animals; Caco-2 Cells; Methanol; Chemical Fractionation; Zebrafish
PubMed: 38731430
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29091939 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The use of by-products as a source of bioactive compounds with economic added value is one of the objectives of a circular economy. The olive oil industry is a source of... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The use of by-products as a source of bioactive compounds with economic added value is one of the objectives of a circular economy. The olive oil industry is a source of olive pomace as a by-product. The olive pomace used in the present study was the exhausted olive pomace, which is the by-product generated from the air drying and subsequent hexane extraction of residual oil from the olive pomace. The objective was to extract bioactive compounds remaining in this by-product. Various types of green extraction were used in the present study: solvent extraction (water and hydroalcoholic); ultrasound-assisted extraction; Ultra-Turrax-assisted extraction; and enzyme-assisted extraction (cellulase; viscoenzyme). The phenolic profile of each extract was determined using HPLC-DAD and the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, and ORAC) were determined as well. The results showed significant differences in the yield of extraction among the different methods used, with the enzyme-assisted, with or without ultrasound, extraction presenting the highest values. The ultrasound-assisted hydroethanolic extraction (USAHE) was the method that resulted in the highest content of the identified phenolic compounds: 2.021 ± 0.29 mg hydroxytyrosol/100 mg extract, 0.987 ± 0.09 mg tyrosol/100 mg extract, and 0.121 ± 0.005 mg catechol/100 mg extract. The conventional extraction with water at 50 °C produced the best results for TPC and antioxidant activity of the extracts. The extracts from the USAHE were able to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria, especially , showing 67.2% inhibition at 3% extract concentration.
Topics: Olive Oil; Polyphenols; Plant Extracts; Antioxidants; Green Chemistry Technology; Olea; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Solvents
PubMed: 38731426
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29091935 -
PloS One 2024Bacterial pathogens have remained a major public health concern for several decades. This study investigated the antibacterial activities of Miang extracts (at...
Bacterial pathogens have remained a major public health concern for several decades. This study investigated the antibacterial activities of Miang extracts (at non-neutral and neutral pH) against Bacillus cereus TISTR 747, Escherichia coli ATCC 22595, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium TISTR 292 and Streptococcus mutans DMST 18777. The potential of Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP)-precipitated tannin-free Miang extracts in growth-inhibition of the cariogenic Streptococcus mutans DMST 18777 and its biofilms was also evaluated. The tannin-rich fermented extracts had the best bacterial growth inhibition against S. mutans DMST 18777 with an MIC of 0.29 and 0.72 mg/mL for nonfilamentous fungi (NFP) Miang and filamentous-fungi-processed (FFP) Miang respectively. This observed anti-streptococcal activity still remained after PVPP-mediated precipitation of bioactive tannins especially, in NFP and FFP Miang. Characterization of the PVPP-treated extracts using High performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry (HPLC-QToF-MS) analysis, also offered an insight into probable compound classes responsible for the activities. In addition, Crystal violet-staining also showed better IC50 values for NFP Miang (4.30 ± 0.66 mg/mL) and FFP Miang (12.73 ± 0.11 mg/mL) against S. mutans DMST 18777 biofilms in vitro. Homology modeling and molecular docking analysis using HPLC-MS identified ligands in tannin-free Miang supernatants, was performed against modelled S. mutans DMST 18777 sortase A enzyme. The in silico analysis suggested that the inhibition by NFP and FFP Miang might be attributed to the presence of ellagic acid, flavonoid aglycones, and glycosides. Thus, these Miang extracts could be optimized and explored as natural active pharmaceutical ingredients (NAPIs) for applications in oral hygienic products.
Topics: Streptococcus mutans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Tannins; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Biofilms; Plant Extracts; Molecular Docking Simulation; Bacterial Proteins
PubMed: 38718045
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302717 -
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology May 2024The oak processionary moth (OPM) Thaumetopoea processionea is a pest of oak trees and poses health risks to humans due to the urticating setae of later instar larvae....
The oak processionary moth (OPM) Thaumetopoea processionea is a pest of oak trees and poses health risks to humans due to the urticating setae of later instar larvae. For this reason, it is difficult to rear OPM under laboratory conditions, carry out bioassays or examine larvae for pathogens. Biological control targets the early larval instars and is based primarily on commercial preparations of Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki (Btk). To test the entomopathogenic potential of other spore-forming bacteria, a user-friendly bioassay system was developed that (i) applies bacterial spore suspensions by oak bud dipping, (ii) targets first larval instar larvae through feeding exposure and (iii) takes into account their group-feeding behavior. A negligible mortality in the untreated control proved the functionality of the newly established bioassay system. Whereas the commercial Btk HD-1 strain was used as a bioassay standard and confirmed as being highly efficient, a B. wiedmannii strain was ineffective in killing OPM larvae. Larvae, which died during the infection experiment, were further subjected to Nanopore sequencing for a metagenomic approach for entomopathogen detection. It further corroborated that B.wiedmannii was not able to infect and establish in OPM, but identified potential insect pathogenic species from the genera Serratia and Pseudomonas.
PubMed: 38705355
DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108121 -
Scientific Reports May 2024The Apiaceae family contains many species used as food, spice and medicinal purposes. Different parts of plants including seeds could be used to obtain essential (EO)...
The Apiaceae family contains many species used as food, spice and medicinal purposes. Different parts of plants including seeds could be used to obtain essential (EO) oils from members of the Apiaceae family. In the present study, EOs were components obtained through hydrodistillation from the seeds of anise (Pimpinella anisum), carrot (Daucus carota), celery (Apium graveolens), dill (Anethum graveolens), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and cumin (Cuminum cyminum). EO constituents were determined with Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and their antioxidant capacities were determined with the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) methods. The antimicrobial activity of EOs were tested against four pathogenic bacteria. Phenylpropanoids in anise (94.87%) and fennel (92.52%), oxygenated monoterpenes in dill (67.59%) and coriander (98.96%), monoterpene hydrocarbons in celery (75.42%), mono- (45.42%) and sesquiterpene- (43.25%) hydrocarbons in carrots, monoterpene hydrocarbon (34.30%) and aromatic hydrocarbons (32.92%) in cumin were the major compounds in the EOs. Anethole in anise and fennel, carotol in carrot, limonene in celery, carvone in dill, linalool in coriander, and cumin aldehyde in cumin were predominant compounds in these EOs. The high hydrocarbon content in cumin EO gave high CUPRAC activity (89.07 µmol Trolox g), and the moderate monoterpene hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpene content in dill EO resulted in higher DPPH activity (9.86 µmol Trolox g). The in vitro antibacterial activity of EOs against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli was evaluated using the agar diffusion method and the minimum bactericidal concentration was determined. Coriander, cumin and dill EOs showed inhibitory effect against all tested strains except P. aeruginosa. While fennel and celery EOs were effective against E. coli and B. cereus strains, respectively, anise and carrot EOs did not show any antibacterial effect against the tested bacteria. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) produced four groups based on EO constituents of seven species. The potential adoption of the cultivated Apiaceae species for EO extraction could be beneficial for the wild species that are endangered by over collection and consumption.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Antioxidants; Apiaceae; Daucus carota; Foeniculum; Cuminum; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Coriandrum; Seeds; Anethum graveolens; Pimpinella; Plant Oils; Apium
PubMed: 38698117
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60810-3 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024In recent years, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have garnered considerable attention as a promising material for biomedical applications because of their unique optical and...
In recent years, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have garnered considerable attention as a promising material for biomedical applications because of their unique optical and biological properties. In this study, CQDs were derived from the leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. via microwave-assisted technique and characterized using different techniques such as ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared, fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Subsequently, their potential for biomedical applications was investigated through in vitro assays assessing scratch healing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity properties. It was found that the CQDs were fluorescent, polycrystalline, quasi-spherical, ~ 12 nm in size with presence of -OH and -COOH groups on their negatively charged surfaces, and demonstrated good anti-inflammatory by inhibiting protein denaturation, cyclooxygenase-2 and regulating inflammatory cytokines. The CQDs also exhibited antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus cereus, good biocompatibility, along with excellent promotion of cell proliferation in vitro, indicating their potential as a anti-inflammatory and wound healing material. The properties were more enhanced than their precursor, H. rosa-sinensis leaf extract. Hence, the CQDs synthesized from the leaves of H. rosa-sinensis can serve as a potential biomedical agent.
Topics: Microwaves; Quantum Dots; Hibiscus; Carbon; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Humans; Mice; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Cell Proliferation; Wound Healing; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
PubMed: 38689005
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60726-y