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Sousa NSOD, Almeida JDRD, Frickmann H, Lacerda MVG, Souza JVBD. Searching for new antifungals for the treatment of cryptococcosis. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2023; 56:e01212023. [PMID: 37493736 PMCID: PMC10367226 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0121-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a consensus that the antifungal repertoire for the treatment of cryptococcal infections is limited. Standard treatment involves the administration of an antifungal drug derived from natural sources (i.e., amphotericin B) and two other drugs developed synthetically (i.e., flucytosine and fluconazole). Despite treatment, the mortality rates associated with fungal cryptococcosis are high. Amphotericin B and flucytosine are toxic, require intravenous administration, and are usually unavailable in low-income countries because of their high cost. However, fluconazole is cost-effective, widely available, and harmless with regard to its side effects. However, fluconazole is a fungistatic agent that has contributed considerably to the increase in fungal resistance and frequent relapses in patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Therefore, there is an unquestionable need to identify new alternatives or adjuvants to conventional drugs for the treatment of cryptococcosis. A potential antifungal agent should be able to kill cryptococci and "bypass" the virulence mechanism of the yeast. Furthermore, it should have fungicidal action, low toxicity, high selectivity, easily penetrate the central nervous system, and widely available. In this review, we describe cryptococcosis, its conventional therapy, and failures arising from the use of drugs traditionally considered to be the reference standard. Additionally, we present the approaches used for the discovery of new drugs to counteract cryptococcosis, ranging from the conventional screening of natural products to the inclusion of structural modifications to optimize anticryptococcal activity, as well as drug repositioning and combined therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hagen Frickmann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Vinícius Guimarães Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM, Brasil
- Instituto de Pesquisas Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, AM, Brasil
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
| | - João Vicente Braga de Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Rede BIONORTE, Manaus, AM, Brasil
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM, Brasil
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Sasidharan S, Nishanth KS, Nair HJ. A semi purified hydroalcoholic fraction from Caesalpinia bonduc seeds causes ergosterol biosynthesis inhibition in Candida albicans resulting in cell membrane damage. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1189241. [PMID: 37377930 PMCID: PMC10291067 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1189241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida species are currently developing resistance to prevailing commercially available drugs, which raises an instantaneous need to discover novel antifungals. To cope with this shocking situation, phytochemicals are the richest, safest, and most potent source of excellent antimicrobials with broad-spectrum activity. The aim of the current study is to explore the anticandidal potential of the various fractions purified from the hydroalcoholic extract of C. bonduc seed. Out of five fractions purified from the hydroalcoholic extract, fraction 3 (Fr. 3) recorded the best activity against C. albicans (8 μg/mL) and thus this species was chosen for further mechanism of action studies. The phytochemical examination reveals that Fr. 3 was found to contain steroids and triterpenoids. This was further supported by LC-QTOF-MS and GCMS analyses. Our findings show that Fr. 3 targets the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway in C. albicans by inhibiting the lanosterol 14-α demethylase enzyme and downregulating expression of its related gene ERG11. Molecular docking outcomes disclosed favorable structural dynamics of the compounds, implying that the compounds present in Fr. 3 would be able to successfully bind to the lanosterol 14-α demethylase, as evidenced by the docked compounds' strong interaction with the target enzyme's amino acid residues. Considering virulence factors, the Fr. 3 recorded significant antibiofilm activity as well as germ-tube reduction potential. Furthermore, Fr. 3 enhances the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). This suggests that the antifungal activity of Fr. 3 was associated with membrane damage and the induction of ROS production, resulting in cell death. Fluorescence microscopic analysis of PI stained Candida further showed changes in the plasma membrane permeability, which causes severe loss of intracellular material and osmotic balance. This was demonstrated by the potassium ion leakage and release of genetic materials. Finally, the erythrocyte lysis assay confirmed the low cytotoxicity of Fr. 3. Both in silico and in vitro results suggest that Fr. 3 has the potential to propel forward novel antifungal drug discovery programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Sasidharan
- 1Department of R&D, Pankajakasthuri Herbal Research Foundation, Pankajakasthuri Ayurveda Medical College Campus, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Kumar S. Nishanth
- 1Department of R&D, Pankajakasthuri Herbal Research Foundation, Pankajakasthuri Ayurveda Medical College Campus, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Hareendran. J Nair
- 2Department of R&D, Pankajakasthuri Herbals India Pvt Ltd., Pankajakasthuri Ayurveda Medical College Campus, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
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Abd-Rabou AA, Shalby AB, Kotob SE. An ellagitannin-loaded CS-PEG decorated PLGA nano-prototype promotes cell cycle arrest in colorectal cancer cells. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023:10.1007/s12013-023-01132-5. [PMID: 37067762 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01132-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Egypt, as a developing country, has a high-rise incidence of cancer. The current study objective was to investigate the antitumor influences of ellagitannin-loaded CS-PEG-decorated PLGA nano-prototypes against human colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT 116 as well as Caco-2) in vitro. Doxorubicin (DOX), punicalin (PN), and punicalagin (PNG)-encapsulated chitosan-polyethylene glycol-decorated PLGA (PLGA-CS-PEG) nanoparticles (NPs) were described. The cytotoxicity of each preparation was evaluated using MTT assays in HCT 116 as well as Caco-2 cells during G0, G1, S, and G2 cell cycle phases. Cell cycle-related gene expression and protein levels were measured after treatment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were also measured. Both PN and PNG PLGA-CS-PEG NPs induce colon cancer cell death with cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase in vitro. Caco-2 cells were more sensitive to the nano-therapy than HCT 116 cells. Upon treatment, the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 expression was increased following nano-therapy, with increased levels of Cas-3 and decreased expression of Bcl-2, PI3k, and NF-ĸB compared to control. The nitric oxide level (NO), a marker of ROS, was increased following nano-therapy compared to control. In conclusion, ROS-mediated cell cycle arrest can be induced by PN as well as PNG nano-therapy in cell lines of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Abd-Rabou
- Hormones Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Aziza B Shalby
- Hormones Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt.
| | - Soheir E Kotob
- Hormones Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
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Palomo-Ligas L, Estrada-Camacho J, Garza-Ontiveros M, Vargas-Villanueva JR, Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez F, Nery-Flores SD, Cañas Montoya JA, Ascacio-Valdés J, Campos-Muzquiz LG, Rodriguez-Herrera R. Polyphenolic extract from Punica granatum peel causes cytoskeleton-related damage on Giardia lamblia trophozoites in vitro. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13350. [PMID: 35502204 PMCID: PMC9055998 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Diarrheal diseases caused by protozoa have a great impact on human health around the world. Giardia lamblia is one of the most common flagellates in the intestinal tract. Factors such as adverse effects to first-line drugs or the appearance of drug-resistant strains, make it necessary to identify new treatment alternatives. Agroindustry waste, like pomegranate peel, are a source of phenolic compounds, which possess antiparasitic activities. In vivo studies demonstrated antigiardiasic potential by reducing cyst shedding and protecting intestinal cells; however, they did not identify the compounds or elucidate any mechanism of action in the parasite. The objective of this study is to identify potential molecular targets and to test the in vitro effects of polyphenols from Punica granatum on Giardia lamblia. Methods The in vitro antigiardial potential of polyphenolic extract from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum L.) obtained using microwave-ultrasound methodology was evaluated on Giardia lamblia trophozoites. Extract phytochemical identification was performed by HPLC/MS analysis. The effect of polyphenolic extract on growth and adhesion capacity was determined by parasite kinetics; morphological damage was evaluated by SEM, alteration on α-tubulin expression and distribution were analyzed by western blot and immunofluorescence, respectively. Results The pomegranate peel extract showed the presence of ellagitannins (punicalin and punicalagin, galloyl-dihexahydroxydiphenoyl-hexoside), flavones (luteolin), and ellagic acid, that caused an inhibitory effect on growth and adhesion capacity, particularly on cells treated with 200 µg/mL, where growth inhibition of 74.36%, trophozoite adherence inhibition of 46.8% and IC50 of 179 µg/mL at 48 h were demonstrated. The most important findings were that the extract alters α-tubulin expression and distribution in Giardia trophozoites in a concentration-independent manner. Also, an increase in α-tubulin expression at 200 µg/mL was observed in western blot and diffuse or incomplete immunolabeling pattern, especially in ventral disk. In addition, the extract caused elongation, disturbance of normal shape, irregularities in the membrane, and flagella abnormalities. Discussion The pomegranate peel extract affects Giardia trophozoites in vitro. The damage is related to the cytoskeleton, due to expression and distribution alterations in α-tubulin, particularly in the ventral disk, a primordial structure for adhesion and pathogenesis. Microtubule impairment could explain morphological changes, and inhibition of adhesion capacity and growth. Besides, this is the first report that suggests that ellagic acid, punicalin, punicalagin and luteolin could be interactioning with the rich-tubulin cytoskeleton of Giardia. Further investigations are needed in order to elucidate the mechanisms of action of the isolated compounds and propose a potential drug alternative for the giardiasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissethe Palomo-Ligas
- Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Job Estrada-Camacho
- Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Mariana Garza-Ontiveros
- Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - José Roberto Vargas-Villanueva
- Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Filiberto Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Química, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Sendar Daniel Nery-Flores
- Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Jorge Arturo Cañas Montoya
- Departamento de Polímeros, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Juan Ascacio-Valdés
- Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Lizeth Guadalupe Campos-Muzquiz
- Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Raul Rodriguez-Herrera
- Departamento de Investigación en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
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Mendonça AMS, Monteiro CDA, Moraes-Neto RN, Monteiro AS, Mondego-Oliveira R, Nascimento CEC, da Silva LCN, Lima-Neto LG, Carvalho RC, de Sousa EM. Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Punica granatum and Its Galloyl-HHDP-Glucose Compound, Alone or in Combination with Fluconazole, Have Antifungal and Antivirulence Properties against Candida spp. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11020265. [PMID: 35203867 PMCID: PMC8868470 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis is the most common fungal infection among immunocompromised patients. Its treatment includes the use of antifungals, which poses limitations such as toxicity and fungal resistance. Plant-derived extracts, such as Punica granatum, have been reported to have antimicrobial activity, but their antifungal effects are still unknown. We aimed to evaluate the antifungal and antiviral potential of the ethyl acetate fraction of P. granatum (PgEA) and its isolated compound galloyl-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-glucose (G-HHDP-G) against Candida spp. In silico analyses predicted the biological activity of G-HHDP-G. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of PgEA and G-HHDP-G, and their effects on biofilm formation, preformed biofilms, and phospholipase production were determined. In silico analysis showed that G-HHDP-G has antifungal and hepatoprotective effects. An in vitro assay confirmed the antifungal effects of PgEA and G-HHDP-G, with MIC in the ranges of 31.25–250 μg/mL and 31.25 ≥ 500 μg/mL, respectively. G-HHDP-G and PgEA synergistically worked with fluconazole against planktonic cells. The substances showed antibiofilm action, alone or in combination with fluconazole, and interfered with phospholipase production. The antifungal and antibiofilm actions of PgEA and G-HHDP-G, alone or in combination with fluconazole, in addition to their effects on reducing Candida phospholipase production, identify them as promising candidates for therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Michelle Silva Mendonça
- Graduate Program in Microbial Biology, CEUMA University, UniCEUMA, São Luís 65055-310, MA, Brazil; (A.M.S.M.); (A.S.M.); (L.C.N.d.S.); (L.G.L.-N.); (E.M.d.S.)
| | | | - Roberval Nascimento Moraes-Neto
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, UFMA, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil; (R.N.M.-N.); (C.E.C.N.)
| | - Andrea Souza Monteiro
- Graduate Program in Microbial Biology, CEUMA University, UniCEUMA, São Luís 65055-310, MA, Brazil; (A.M.S.M.); (A.S.M.); (L.C.N.d.S.); (L.G.L.-N.); (E.M.d.S.)
| | | | | | - Luís Cláudio Nascimento da Silva
- Graduate Program in Microbial Biology, CEUMA University, UniCEUMA, São Luís 65055-310, MA, Brazil; (A.M.S.M.); (A.S.M.); (L.C.N.d.S.); (L.G.L.-N.); (E.M.d.S.)
- Graduate Program in Odontology, CEUMA University, UniCEUMA, São Luís 65075-120, MA, Brazil
| | - Lidio Gonçalves Lima-Neto
- Graduate Program in Microbial Biology, CEUMA University, UniCEUMA, São Luís 65055-310, MA, Brazil; (A.M.S.M.); (A.S.M.); (L.C.N.d.S.); (L.G.L.-N.); (E.M.d.S.)
| | - Rafael Cardoso Carvalho
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, UFMA, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil; (R.N.M.-N.); (C.E.C.N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Eduardo Martins de Sousa
- Graduate Program in Microbial Biology, CEUMA University, UniCEUMA, São Luís 65055-310, MA, Brazil; (A.M.S.M.); (A.S.M.); (L.C.N.d.S.); (L.G.L.-N.); (E.M.d.S.)
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, UFMA, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil; (R.N.M.-N.); (C.E.C.N.)
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Ganapathy D, Siddiqui Y, Ahmad K, Adzmi F, Ling KL. Alterations in Mycelial Morphology and Flow Cytometry Assessment of Membrane Integrity of Ganoderma boninense Stressed by Phenolic Compounds. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:930. [PMID: 34571807 PMCID: PMC8468247 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Global increase in demand for palm oil has caused an intensification in oil palm plantation; however, production is greatly hindered by Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease caused by Ganoderma boninense. There are many approaches to controlling BSR, although, there is no accurate, sustainable and effective method to suppress G. boninense completely. Hence, four phenolic compounds [Gallic acid (GA), Thymol (THY), Propolis (PRO) and Carvacrol (CARV)] were selected to evaluate their antifungal effect, ability to alter the mycelium morphology, and fungal cell integrity against G. boninense. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed and 94% of inhibition was exerted by GA on G. boninense growth. Scanning Electron Microscopy and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy observations revealed that GA and THY treatment caused severe damage to the mycelium and recorded the highest amount of sugar and electrolyte leakage. The study of cell integrity and morphological disruption has elucidated the reduction of G. boninense cell viability. Generally, our findings confirm the fungistatic effects of GA and THY. The evolution of phenolic compounds during the phytopathology studies indicated their coherence in eradicating the G. boninense. It is proposed that GA and THY had the potential to be developed further as a natural antifungal treatment to suppress G. boninense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daarshini Ganapathy
- Laboratory of Sustainable Agronomy and Crop Protection, Institute of Plantation Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (D.G.); (F.A.); (K.L.L.)
| | - Yasmeen Siddiqui
- Laboratory of Sustainable Agronomy and Crop Protection, Institute of Plantation Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (D.G.); (F.A.); (K.L.L.)
| | - Khairulmazmi Ahmad
- Laboratory of Sustainable Agronomy and Crop Protection, Institute of Plantation Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (D.G.); (F.A.); (K.L.L.)
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Fariz Adzmi
- Laboratory of Sustainable Agronomy and Crop Protection, Institute of Plantation Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (D.G.); (F.A.); (K.L.L.)
| | - Kong Lih Ling
- Laboratory of Sustainable Agronomy and Crop Protection, Institute of Plantation Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (D.G.); (F.A.); (K.L.L.)
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