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Touati A, Mairi A, Ibrahim NA, Idres T. Essential Oils for Biofilm Control: Mechanisms, Synergies, and Translational Challenges in the Era of Antimicrobial Resistance. Antibiotics (Basel) 2025; 14:503. [PMID: 40426569 PMCID: PMC12108346 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics14050503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2025] [Revised: 04/28/2025] [Accepted: 05/09/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Biofilms, structured microbial consortia embedded in self-produced extracellular matrices, pose significant challenges across the medical, industrial, and environmental sectors due to their resistance to antimicrobial therapies and ability to evade the immune system. Their resilience is driven by multifaceted mechanisms, including matrix-mediated drug sequestration, metabolic dormancy, and quorum sensing (QS)-regulated virulence, which collectively sustain persistent infections and contribute to the amplification of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This review critically examines the potential of plant-derived essential oils (EOs) as innovative agents for biofilm control. EOs exhibit broad-spectrum antibiofilm activity through multi-target mechanisms, including disrupting initial microbial adhesion, degrading extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), suppressing QS pathways, and compromising membrane integrity. Their ability to act synergistically with conventional antimicrobials at sub-inhibitory concentrations enhances therapeutic efficacy while reducing the selection pressure for resistance. Despite their potential, EO applications face technical challenges, such as compositional variability due to botanical sources, formulation stability issues, and difficulties in standardization for large-scale production. Clinical translation is further complicated by biofilm stage- and strain-dependent efficacy, insufficient in vivo validation of therapeutic outcomes, and potential cytotoxicity at higher doses. These limitations underscore the need for optimized delivery systems, such as nanoencapsulation, to enhance bioavailability and mitigate adverse effects. Future strategies should include combinatorial approaches with antibiotics or EPS-degrading enzymes, advanced formulation technologies, and standardized protocols to bridge laboratory findings to clinical practice. By addressing these challenges, EOs hold transformative potential to mitigate biofilm-associated AMR, offering sustainable, multi-target alternatives for infection management and biofilm prevention in diverse contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelaziz Touati
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Microbienne, Université de Bejaia, FSNV, Bejaia 06000, Algeria; (A.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Assia Mairi
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Microbienne, Université de Bejaia, FSNV, Bejaia 06000, Algeria; (A.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Nasir Adam Ibrahim
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 13318, Saudi Arabia
| | - Takfarinas Idres
- Laboratory for Livestock Animal Production and Health Research, Rabie Bouchama National Veterinary School of Algiers, Issad ABBAS Street, BP 161 Oued Smar, Algiers 16059, Algeria;
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Karnwal A, Jassim AY, Mohammed AA, Sharma V, Al-Tawaha ARMS, Sivanesan I. Nanotechnology for Healthcare: Plant-Derived Nanoparticles in Disease Treatment and Regenerative Medicine. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:1711. [PMID: 39770553 PMCID: PMC11678348 DOI: 10.3390/ph17121711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2024] [Revised: 12/12/2024] [Accepted: 12/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnology has revolutionised biomedical research, offering innovative healthcare solutions. Plant-based nanotechnology is emerging as a sustainable alternative, minimising environmental impacts and enhancing therapeutic effectiveness. This paper explores the potential of plant-derived nanoparticles (PNPs) in medicine, highlighting their biocompatibility, multifunctionality, and eco-friendliness. PNPs, synthesised through green methods, have demonstrated promising applications in drug delivery, cancer therapy, antimicrobial treatments, and tissue regeneration. Their unique properties, such as a high surface area and bioactive components, enable improved drug delivery, targeting, and controlled release, reducing side effects and enhancing treatment efficacy. Additionally, plant-derived compounds' inherent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, retained within platinum nanoparticles (PNPs), present innovative opportunities for combating antimicrobial resistance and promoting wound healing. Despite their potential, challenges remain in standardising PNP synthesis, ensuring consistency, and scaling up production for industrial applications. This review emphasises the need for further research on PNP toxicity, biocompatibility, and regulatory frameworks to fully harness their capabilities in clinical and commercial applications. Plant-based nanotechnology represents a promising, greener alternative for advancing healthcare solutions, aligning with global sustainability goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Karnwal
- Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248009, India;
- Department of Microbiology, School of Bioengineering and BioSciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India
| | - Amar Yasser Jassim
- Department of Marine Vertebrate, Marine Science Center, University of Basrah, Basrah 61001, Iraq; (A.Y.J.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Ameer Abbas Mohammed
- Department of Marine Vertebrate, Marine Science Center, University of Basrah, Basrah 61001, Iraq; (A.Y.J.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Vikas Sharma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering and BioSciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India;
| | | | - Iyyakkannu Sivanesan
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Institute of Natural Science and Agriculture, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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Golalipour A, Mohammadi A, Hosseinzadeh S, Soltani A, Erfani-Moghadam V. Synergistic cytotoxicity of olive leaf extract-loaded lipid nanocarriers combined with Newcastle disease virus against cervical cancer cells. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308599. [PMID: 39141643 PMCID: PMC11324187 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite recent medical progress, cervical cancer remains a major global health concern for women. Current standard treatments have limitations such as non-specific toxicity that necessitate development of safer and more effective therapeutic strategies. This research evaluated the combinatorial effects of olive leaf extract (OLE), rich in anti-cancer polyphenols, and the oncolytic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) against human cervical cancer cells. OLE was efficiently encapsulated (>94% loading) within MF59 lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs; contains Precirol as NLC-P, contains Lecithin as NLC-L) to enhance stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. Physicochemical analysis confirmed successful encapsulation of OLE within nanoparticles smaller than 150 nm. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated significantly higher toxicity of the OLE-loaded nanoparticle formulations on HeLa cancer cells versus HDF normal cells (P<0.05). MF59 achieved the highest encapsulation efficiency, while NLC-P had the best drug release profile. NDV selectively infected and killed HeLa cells versus HDF cells. Notably, combining NDV with OLE-loaded nanoparticles led to significantly enhanced synergistic cytotoxicity against cancer cells (P<0.05), with NLC-P (OLE) and NDV producing the strongest effects. Apoptosis and cell cycle analyses confirmed the increased anti-cancer activity of the combinatorial treatment, which induced cell cycle arrest. This study provides evidence that co-delivery of OLE-loaded lipid nanoparticles and NDV potentiates anti-cancer activity against cervical cancer cells in vitro through a synergistic mechanism, warranting further development as a promising alternative cervical cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Golalipour
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammadi
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saeid Hosseinzadeh
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Alireza Soltani
- Golestan Rheumatology Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Science, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Vahid Erfani-Moghadam
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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Lopes IS, Soares JKC, de Medeiros LS, Coronato Courrol L. Evaluation of ALA-capped silver, copper, and silver-copper nanoparticles for controlling fungal plant pathogens. Microb Pathog 2024; 191:106672. [PMID: 38705219 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Phytopathogenic fungi significantly threaten global food security, causing substantial yield and quality losses. Sustainable solutions are urgently needed to combat these agricultural pathogens. This study explored the potential of silver (Ag), copper (Cu), and combined Ag/Cu nanoparticles capped with aminolevulinic acid (ALA) as antifungal agents. The nanoparticles (ALAAg, ALACu, and ALAAgCu) were synthesized via photoreduction and characterized using various techniques (UV-Vis, TEM, XRD, Zeta potential). Their antifungal activity against four key plant pathogens (Alternaria grandis, Colletotrichum truncatum, Corynespora cassiicola, and Fusarium oxysporum) was evaluated using poisoned food techniques. Notably, ALAAgCuNPs demonstrated superior antifungal activity compared to a conventional fungicide against two fungal strains. Even at lower concentrations, ALAAgCuNPs exhibited fungistatic effects comparable to those of the control. These promising results suggest the potential of ALAAgCu NPs as a broad-spectrum, potentially eco-friendly alternative for fungal control in plants and seeds. This approach is crucial for ensuring crop health, harvest quality, and food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela Santos Lopes
- Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jullio Kennedy Castro Soares
- Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lívia Soman de Medeiros
- Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lilia Coronato Courrol
- Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Jaromin A, Zarnowski R, Markowski A, Zagórska A, Johnson CJ, Etezadi H, Kihara S, Mota-Santiago P, Nett JE, Boyd BJ, Andes DR. Liposomal formulation of a new antifungal hybrid compound provides protection against Candida auris in the ex vivo skin colonization model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0095523. [PMID: 38092678 PMCID: PMC10777852 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00955-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The newly emerged pathogen, Candida auris, presents a serious threat to public health worldwide. This multidrug-resistant yeast often colonizes and persists on the skin of patients, can easily spread from person to person, and can cause life-threatening systemic infections. New antifungal therapies are therefore urgently needed to limit and control both superficial and systemic C. auris infections. In this study, we designed a novel antifungal agent, PQA-Az-13, that contains a combination of indazole, pyrrolidine, and arylpiperazine scaffolds substituted with a trifluoromethyl moiety. PQA-Az-13 demonstrated antifungal activity against biofilms of a set of 10 different C. auris clinical isolates, representing all four geographical clades distinguished within this species. This compound showed strong activity, with MIC values between 0.67 and 1.25 µg/mL. Cellular proteomics indicated that PQA-Az-13 partially or completely inhibited numerous enzymatic proteins in C. auris biofilms, particularly those involved in both amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism processes, as well as in general energy-producing processes. Due to its hydrophobic nature and limited aqueous solubility, PQA-Az-13 was encapsulated in cationic liposomes composed of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC), 1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-trimethylammonium-propane chloride (DOTAP), and N-(carbonyl-methoxypolyethylene glycol-2000)-1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, sodium salt (DSPE-PEG 2000), and characterized by biophysical and spectral techniques. These PQA-Az-13-loaded liposomes displayed a mean size of 76.4 nm, a positive charge of +45.0 mV, a high encapsulation efficiency of 97.2%, excellent stability, and no toxicity to normal human dermal fibroblasts. PQA-Az-13 liposomes demonstrated enhanced antifungal activity levels against both C. auris in in vitro biofilms and ex vivo skin colonization models. These initial results suggest that molecules like PQA-Az-13 warrant further study and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Jaromin
- Department of Lipids and Liposomes, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Robert Zarnowski
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Adam Markowski
- Department of Lipids and Liposomes, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Zagórska
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Chad J. Johnson
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Haniyeh Etezadi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shinji Kihara
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jeniel E. Nett
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ben J. Boyd
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Victoria, Australia
| | - David R. Andes
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Liu Q, Zou J, Chen Z, He W, Wu W. Current research trends of nanomedicines. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:4391-4416. [PMID: 37969727 PMCID: PMC10638504 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to the inherent shortcomings of traditional therapeutic drugs in terms of inadequate therapeutic efficacy and toxicity in clinical treatment, nanomedicine designs have received widespread attention with significantly improved efficacy and reduced non-target side effects. Nanomedicines hold tremendous theranostic potential for treating, monitoring, diagnosing, and controlling various diseases and are attracting an unfathomable amount of input of research resources. Against the backdrop of an exponentially growing number of publications, it is imperative to help the audience get a panorama image of the research activities in the field of nanomedicines. Herein, this review elaborates on the development trends of nanomedicines, emerging nanocarriers, in vivo fate and safety of nanomedicines, and their extensive applications. Moreover, the potential challenges and the obstacles hindering the clinical translation of nanomedicines are also discussed. The elaboration on various aspects of the research trends of nanomedicines may help enlighten the readers and set the route for future endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyue Liu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiahui Zou
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Zhongjian Chen
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Wei He
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai 201399, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
- Fudan Zhangjiang Institute, Shanghai 201203, China
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