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Gutierrez-Gongora D, Woods M, Prosser RS, Geddes-McAlister J. Natural compounds from freshwater mussels disrupt fungal virulence determinants and influence fluconazole susceptibility in the presence of macrophages in Cryptococcus neoformans. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0284123. [PMID: 38329361 PMCID: PMC10913472 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02841-23] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a human fungal pathogen responsible for fatal infections, especially in patients with a depressed immune system. Overexposure to antifungal drugs due to prolonged treatment regimens and structure-similar applications in agriculture have weakened the efficacy of current antifungals in the clinic. The rapid evolution of antifungal resistance urges the discovery of new compounds that inhibit fungal virulence determinants, rather than directly killing the pathogen, as alternative strategies to overcome disease and reduce selective pressure toward resistance. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of freshwater mussel extracts (crude and clarified) against the production of well-defined virulence determinants (i.e., thermotolerance, melanin, capsule, and biofilm) and fluconazole resistance in C. neoformans. We demonstrated the extracts' influence on fungal thermotolerance, capsule production, and biofilm formation, as well as susceptibility to fluconazole in the presence of macrophages. Additionally, we measured the inhibitory activity of extracts against commercial peptidases (family representatives of cryptococcal orthologs) related to fungal virulence determinants and fluconazole resistance, and integrated these phenotypic findings with quantitative proteomics profiling. Our approach defined distinct signatures of each treatment and validated a new mechanism of anti-virulence action toward the polysaccharide capsule from a selected extract following fractionation. By understanding the mechanisms driving the antifungal activity of mussels, we may develop innovative treatment options to overcome fungal infections and promote susceptibility to fluconazole in resistant strains. IMPORTANCE As the prevalence and severity of global fungal infections rise, along with an increasing incidence of antifungal resistance, new strategies to combat fungal pathogens and overcome resistance are urgently needed. Critically, our current methods to overcome fungal infections are limited and drive the evolution of resistance forward; however, an anti-virulence approach to disarm virulence factors of the pathogen and promote host cell clearance is promising. Here, we explore the efficacy of natural compounds derived from freshwater mussels against classical fungal virulence determinants, including thermotolerance, capsule production, stress response, and biofilm formation. We integrate our phenotypic discoveries with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based proteomics to identify mechanistic drivers of these antifungal properties and propose innovative avenues to reduce infection and support the treatment of resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Woods
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ryan S. Prosser
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Marcos CM, de Oliveira HC, Assato PA, de Oliveira LT, Fregonezi N, dos Santos KS, Costa-Orlandi CB, Fusco-Almeida AM, Mendes-Giannini MJS. Polypeptides Targeting Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Drk1. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:980. [PMID: 37888236 PMCID: PMC10607314 DOI: 10.3390/jof9100980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Considering the toxicity of conventional therapeutic approaches and the importance of precise mechanistic targets, it is important to explore signaling pathways implicated in fungal pathobiology. Moreover, treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis caused by a dimorphic fungus, requires prolonged therapeutic regimens. Among the numerous factors underpinning the establishment of Paracoccidioides spp. infection, the capacity to transition from the mycelial to the yeast form is of pivotal importance. The Drk1 protein of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis likely plays a decisive role in this morphological shift and subsequent virulence. We identified peptides with affinity for the PbDrk1 protein using the phage-display method and assessed the effects of these peptides on P. brasiliensis. The peptides were found to inhibit the phase transition of P. brasiliensis. Furthermore, a substantial proportion of these peptides prevented adhesion to pneumocytes. Although these peptides may not possess inherent antifungal properties, they can augment the effects of certain antifungal agents. Notably, the cell wall architecture of P. brasiliensis appears to be modulated by peptide intervention, resulting in a reduced abundance of glycosylated proteins and lipids. These peptides were also evaluated for their efficacy in a Galleria mellonella model and shown to contribute to enhanced larval survival rates. The role of PbDrk1, which is notably absent in mammals, should be further investigated to improve the understanding of its functional role in P. brasiliensis, which may be helpful for designing novel therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Maria Marcos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.M.M.); (H.C.d.O.); (P.A.A.); (L.T.d.O.); (N.F.); (K.S.d.S.); (C.B.C.-O.); (A.M.F.-A.)
| | - Haroldo Cesar de Oliveira
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.M.M.); (H.C.d.O.); (P.A.A.); (L.T.d.O.); (N.F.); (K.S.d.S.); (C.B.C.-O.); (A.M.F.-A.)
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Patricia Akemi Assato
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.M.M.); (H.C.d.O.); (P.A.A.); (L.T.d.O.); (N.F.); (K.S.d.S.); (C.B.C.-O.); (A.M.F.-A.)
- Laboratório Central de Multiusuários, Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Campus Botucatu, UNESP—Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Paulo 18610-034, Brazil
| | - Lariane Teodoro de Oliveira
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.M.M.); (H.C.d.O.); (P.A.A.); (L.T.d.O.); (N.F.); (K.S.d.S.); (C.B.C.-O.); (A.M.F.-A.)
| | - Nathália Fregonezi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.M.M.); (H.C.d.O.); (P.A.A.); (L.T.d.O.); (N.F.); (K.S.d.S.); (C.B.C.-O.); (A.M.F.-A.)
| | - Kelvin Sousa dos Santos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.M.M.); (H.C.d.O.); (P.A.A.); (L.T.d.O.); (N.F.); (K.S.d.S.); (C.B.C.-O.); (A.M.F.-A.)
| | - Caroline Barcelos Costa-Orlandi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.M.M.); (H.C.d.O.); (P.A.A.); (L.T.d.O.); (N.F.); (K.S.d.S.); (C.B.C.-O.); (A.M.F.-A.)
| | - Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.M.M.); (H.C.d.O.); (P.A.A.); (L.T.d.O.); (N.F.); (K.S.d.S.); (C.B.C.-O.); (A.M.F.-A.)
| | - Maria José Soares Mendes-Giannini
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.M.M.); (H.C.d.O.); (P.A.A.); (L.T.d.O.); (N.F.); (K.S.d.S.); (C.B.C.-O.); (A.M.F.-A.)
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3
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Fusco-Almeida AM, de Matos Silva S, dos Santos KS, de Lima Gualque MW, Vaso CO, Carvalho AR, Medina-Alarcón KP, Pires ACMDS, Belizario JA, de Souza Fernandes L, Moroz A, Martinez LR, Ruiz OH, González Á, Mendes-Giannini MJS. Alternative Non-Mammalian Animal and Cellular Methods for the Study of Host-Fungal Interactions. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:943. [PMID: 37755051 PMCID: PMC10533014 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In the study of fungal pathogenesis, alternative methods have gained prominence due to recent global legislation restricting the use of mammalian animals in research. The principle of the 3 Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement) is integrated into regulations and guidelines governing animal experimentation in nearly all countries. This principle advocates substituting vertebrate animals with other invertebrate organisms, embryos, microorganisms, or cell cultures. This review addresses host-fungus interactions by employing three-dimensional (3D) cultures, which offer more faithful replication of the in vivo environment, and by utilizing alternative animal models to replace traditional mammals. Among these alternative models, species like Caenorhabditis elegans and Danio rerio share approximately 75% of their genes with humans. Furthermore, models such as Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor demonstrate similarities in their innate immune systems as well as anatomical and physiological barriers, resembling those found in mammalian organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Samanta de Matos Silva
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (O.H.R.); (Á.G.)
| | - Kelvin Sousa dos Santos
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Marcos William de Lima Gualque
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Carolina Orlando Vaso
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Angélica Romão Carvalho
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Kaila Petrolina Medina-Alarcón
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Ana Carolina Moreira da Silva Pires
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Jenyffie Araújo Belizario
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Lígia de Souza Fernandes
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrei Moroz
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Luis R. Martinez
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Immunology and Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Orville Hernandez Ruiz
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (O.H.R.); (Á.G.)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Group University of Antioquia, Corporation for Biological Research, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Ángel González
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (O.H.R.); (Á.G.)
| | - Maria José Soares Mendes-Giannini
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
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Kumar R, Srivastava V. Application of anti-fungal vaccines as a tool against emerging anti-fungal resistance. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2023; 4:1241539. [PMID: 37746132 PMCID: PMC10512234 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2023.1241539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
After viruses and bacteria, fungal infections remain a serious threat to the survival and well-being of society. The continuous emergence of resistance against commonly used anti-fungal drugs is a serious concern. The eukaryotic nature of fungal cells makes the identification of novel anti-fungal agents slow and difficult. Increasing global temperature and a humid environment conducive to fungal growth may lead to a fungal endemic or a pandemic. The continuous increase in the population of immunocompromised individuals and falling immunity forced pharmaceutical companies to look for alternative strategies for better managing the global fungal burden. Prevention of infectious diseases by vaccines can be the right choice. Recent success and safe application of mRNA-based vaccines can play a crucial role in our quest to overcome anti-fungal resistance. Expressing fungal cell surface proteins in human subjects using mRNA technology may be sufficient to raise immune response to protect against future fungal infection. The success of mRNA-based anti-fungal vaccines will heavily depend on the identification of fungal surface proteins which are highly immunogenic and have no or least side effects in human subjects. The present review discusses why it is essential to look for anti-fungal vaccines and how vaccines, in general, and mRNA-based vaccines, in particular, can be the right choice in tackling the problem of rising anti-fungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Collage of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Vartika Srivastava
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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Adnan A, Borman AM, Tóth Z, Forgács L, Kovács R, Balázsi D, Balázs B, Udvarhelyi G, Kardos G, Majoros L. In Vitro Killing Activities of Anidulafungin and Micafungin with and without Nikkomycin Z against Four Candida auris Clades. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051365. [PMID: 37242607 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant pathogen against which echinocandins are the drug of choice. However, information on how the chitin synthase inhibitor nikkomycin Z influences the killing activities of echinocandins against C. auris is currently lacking. We determined the killing activities of anidulafungin and micafungin (0.25, 1, 8, 16 and 32 mg/L each) with and without nikkomycin Z (8 mg/L) against 15 isolates representing four C. auris clades (South Asian n = 5; East Asian n = 3; South African n = 3; South American n = 4, two of which were of environmental origin). Two and one isolates from the South Asian clade harbored mutations in the hot-spot 1 (S639Y and S639P) and 2 (R1354H) regions of the FKS1 gene, respectively. The anidulafungin, micafungin and nikkomycin Z MIC ranges were 0.015-4, 0.03-4 and 2->16 mg/L, respectively. Anidulafungin and micafungin alone exerted weak fungistatic activity against wild-type isolates and the isolate with a mutation in the hot-spot 2 region of FKS1 but was ineffective against the isolates with a mutation in the hot-spot 1 region. The nikkomycin Z killing curves were always similar to their respective controls. Twenty-two of sixty (36.7%) anidulafungin plus nikkomycin Z and twenty-four of sixty (40%) micafungin plus nikkomycin Z combinations produced at least 100-fold decreases in the CFUs (synergy), with a 41.7% and 20% fungicidal effect, respectively, against wild-type isolates. Antagonism was never observed. Similar results were found with the isolate with a mutation in hot-spot 2 of FKS1, but the combinations were ineffective against the two isolates with prominent mutations in hot-spot 1 of FKS1. The simultaneous inhibition of β-1,3 glucan and chitin synthases in wild-type C. auris isolates produced significantly greater killing rates than either drug alone. Further studies are warranted to verify the clinical efficacy of echinocandin plus nikkomycin Z combinations against echinocandin susceptible C. auris isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awid Adnan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Andrew M Borman
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, UK Health Security Agency, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM), University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Zoltán Tóth
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Lajos Forgács
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Renátó Kovács
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Dávid Balázsi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Bence Balázs
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gergely Udvarhelyi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kardos
- Department of Metagenomics, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - László Majoros
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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6
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de Oliveira H, Bezerra BT, Rodrigues ML. Antifungal Development and the Urgency of Minimizing the Impact of Fungal Diseases on Public Health. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2023; 3:137-146. [PMID: 37101810 PMCID: PMC10125384 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.2c00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Fungal infections are a major public health problem resulting from the lack of public policies addressing these diseases, toxic and/or expensive therapeutic tools, scarce diagnostic tests, and unavailable vaccines. In this Perspective, we discuss the need for novel antifungal alternatives, highlighting new initiatives based on drug repurposing and the development of novel antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bárbara T. Bezerra
- Instituto
Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba81310-020, Brazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Instituto
Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba81310-020, Brazil
- Instituto
de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro21941-902, Brazil
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Vu K, Buckley BJ, Bujaroski RS, Blumwald E, Kelso MJ, Gelli A. Antifungal activity of 6-substituted amiloride and hexamethylene amiloride (HMA) analogs. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1101568. [PMID: 36923593 PMCID: PMC10009331 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1101568] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections have become an increasing threat as a result of growing numbers of susceptible hosts and diminishing effectiveness of antifungal drugs due to multi-drug resistance. This reality underscores the need to develop novel drugs with unique mechanisms of action. We recently identified 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA), an inhibitor of human Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1, as a promising scaffold for antifungal drug development. In this work, we carried out susceptibility testing of 45 6-substituted HMA and amiloride analogs against a panel of pathogenic fungi. A series of 6-(2-benzofuran)amiloride and HMA analogs that showed up to a 16-fold increase in activity against Cryptococcus neoformans were identified. Hits from these series showed broad-spectrum activity against both basidiomycete and ascomycete fungal pathogens, including multidrug-resistant clinical isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiem Vu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, Genome and Biomedical Sciences Facility, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin J. Buckley
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard S. Bujaroski
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (ATMCF), Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Eduardo Blumwald
- Department of Plant Sciences, PRB Building, University of California, Davis, CA, Australia
| | - Michael J. Kelso
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Angie Gelli
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, Genome and Biomedical Sciences Facility, Davis, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Angie Gelli,
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Eita AS, M. A. Makky A, Anter A, Khalil IA. Repurposing of atorvastatin emulsomes as a topical antifungal agent. Drug Deliv 2022; 29:3414-3431. [DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2149898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alaa S. Eita
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST), 6th of October, Giza, Egypt
| | - Amna M. A. Makky
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Asem Anter
- Microbiology Unit, Drug Factory, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST), 6th of October, Giza, Egypt
| | - Islam A. Khalil
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST), 6th of October, Giza, Egypt
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9
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Partha ADSL, Widodo ADW, Endraswari PD. Evaluation of fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole activity on Candida albicans: A case control study. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022; 84:104882. [DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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10
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Lycosin-II Exhibits Antifungal Activity and Inhibits Dual-Species Biofilm by Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8090901. [PMID: 36135626 PMCID: PMC9504746 DOI: 10.3390/jof8090901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance is a global public health issue. To address this, new antimicrobial agents have been developed. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) exhibit a wide range of antimicrobial activities against pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. Lycosin-II, isolated from the venom of the spider Lycosa singoriensis, has shown antibacterial activity by disrupting membranes. However, the mode of action of Lycosin-II and its antifungal activity have not been clearly described. Therefore, we confirmed that Lycosin-II showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans (C. albicans). To investigate the mode of action, membrane-related assays were performed, including an evaluation of C. albicans membrane depolarization and membrane integrity after exposure to Lycosin-II. Our results indicated that Lycosin-II damaged the C. albicans membrane. Additionally, Lycosin-II induced oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in C. albicans. Moreover, Lycosin-II exhibited an inhibitory effect on dual-species biofilm formation by C. albicans and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which are the most co-isolated fungi and bacteria. These results revealed that Lycosin-II can be utilized against C. albicans and dual-species strain infections.
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11
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Izadi A, Aghaei Gharehbolagh S, Sadeghi F, Talebi M, Darmiani K, Zarrinnia A, Zarei F, Peymaeei F, Khojasteh S, Borman AM, Mahmoudi S. Drug repurposing against Candida auris: A systematic review. Mycoses 2022; 65:784-793. [PMID: 35665544 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Candida auris is a drug-resistant pathogen with several reported outbreaks. The treatment of C. auris infections is difficult due to a limited number of available antifungal drugs. Thus, finding alternative drugs through repurposing approaches would be clinically beneficial. A systematic search in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases, as well as Google Scholar up to 1 November 2021, was conducted to find all articles with data regarding the antifungal activity of non-antifungal drugs against the planktonic and biofilm forms of C. auris. During database and hand searching, 290 articles were found, of which 13 were eligible for inclusion in the present study. Planktonic and biofilm forms have been studied in 11 and 8 articles (with both forms examined in 6 articles), respectively. In total, 22 and 12 drugs/compounds have been reported as repositionable against planktonic and biofilm forms of C. auris, respectively. Antiparasitic drugs, with the dominance of miltefosine, were the most common repurposed drugs against both forms of C. auris, followed by anticancer drugs (e.g. alexidine dihydrochloride) against the planktonic form and anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ebselen) against the biofilm form of the fungus. A collection of other drugs from various classes have also shown promising activity against C. auris. Following drug repurposing approaches, a number of drugs/compounds from various classes have been found to inhibit the planktonic and biofilm forms of C. auris. Accordingly, drug repurposing is an encouraging approach for discovering potential alternatives to conventional antifungal agents to combat drug resistance in fungi, especially C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Izadi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sanaz Aghaei Gharehbolagh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sadeghi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meysam Talebi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kimia Darmiani
- Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Zarrinnia
- Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fateme Zarei
- Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Peymaeei
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shaghayegh Khojasteh
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Andrew M Borman
- Public Health England UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Southmead Hospital Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Shahram Mahmoudi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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12
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Jampilek J. Novel avenues for identification of new antifungal drugs and current challenges. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:949-968. [PMID: 35787715 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2097659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Some of otherwise useful fungi are pathogenic to humans, and unfortunately, the number of these pathogens is increasing. In addition to common skin infections, these opportunistic pathogens are able to cause severe, often incurable, systemic mycoses. AREAS COVERED : The number of antifungal drugs is limited, especially drugs that can be used for systemic administration, and resistance to these drugs is very common. This review summarizes various approaches to the discovery and development of new antifungal drugs, provides an overview of the most important molecules in terms of basic (laboratory) research and compounds currently in clinical trials, and focuses on drug repurposing strategy, while providing an overview of drugs of other indications that have been tested in vitro for their antifungal activity for possible expansion of antifungal drugs and/or support of existing antimycotics. EXPERT OPINION : Despite the limitations of the research of new antifungal drugs by pharmaceutical manufacturers, in addition to innovated molecules based on clinically used drugs, several completely new small entities with unique mechanisms of actions have been identified. The identification of new molecular targets that offer alternatives for the development of new unique selective antifungal highly effective agents has been an important outcome of repurposing of non-antifungal drugs to antifungal drug. Also, given the advances in monoclonal antibodies and their application to immunosuppressed patients, it may seem possible to predict a more optimistic future for antifungal therapy than has been the case in recent decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Jampilek
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
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13
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Prakash SMU, Kabir MA. Repurposing vilanterol as a novel potential antifungal for Candida albicans: In-silico & in-vitro approach. MEDICINE IN DRUG DISCOVERY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medidd.2022.100137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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14
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Zhang Q, Liu F, Zeng M, Zhang J, Liu Y, Xin C, Mao Y, Song Z. Antifungal Activity of Sodium New Houttuyfonate Against Aspergillus fumigatus in vitro and in vivo. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:856272. [PMID: 35558127 PMCID: PMC9087332 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.856272] [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: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an important pathogen causing invasive aspergillosis, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised people. However, the treatment of A. fumigatus infection is a growing challenge, owing to the limited availability antifungal agents and the continual emergence of drug-resistant strains. Drug repurposing is a potential strategy to solve this current problem. Sodium new houttuyfonate (SNH), derived from houttuynin, extracted from Houttuynia cordata, has anti-bacterial and anti-Candida albicans effects. However, whether it has anti-A. fumigatus activity had not been reported. In this study, the antifungal properties of SNH against A. fumigatus, including the standard strain AF293, itraconazole resistant clinical strains, and voriconazole resistant clinical strains, were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the potential mechanism of SNH was characterized. SNH exhibited significant fungicidal activity toward various A. fumigatus strains. SNH also inhibited fungal growth, sporulation, conidial germination and pigment formation, and biofilm formation. Further investigations revealed that SNH interfered with the A. fumigatus cell steroid synthesis pathway, as indicated by transcriptomic and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses, and inhibited ergosterol synthesis, as indicated by cell membrane stress assays and ergosterol quantification. Moreover, daily gastric gavage of SNH significantly decreased the fungal burden in mice with disseminated infection (kidney, liver, and lung) and local tissue damage. In addition, the application of SNH downregulated the production of IL-6 and IL-17A. Together, these findings provided the first confirmation that SNH may be a promising antifungal agent for the treatment of A. fumigatus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Fangyan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Meng Zeng
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jinping Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yanfei Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Caiyan Xin
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yingyu Mao
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhangyong Song
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Molecular Biotechnology Platform, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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15
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Essghaier B, Toukabri N, Dridi R, Hannachi H, Limam I, Mottola F, Mokni M, Zid MF, Rocco L, Abdelkarim M. First Report of the Biosynthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. maritima Fruit Extracts and Their Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Properties. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12091585. [PMID: 35564294 PMCID: PMC9104986 DOI: 10.3390/nano12091585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Candida and dermatophyte infections are difficult to treat due to increasing antifungal drugs resistance such as fluconazole, as well as the emergence of multi-resistance in clinical bacteria. Here, we first synthesized silver nanoparticles using aqueous fruit extracts from Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.). The characterization of the AgNPs by means of UV, XRD, FTIR, and TEM showed that the AgNPs had a uniform spherical shape with average sizes of 40–50 nm. The biosynthesized AgNPs showed high antioxidant activity when investigated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The AgNPs displayed strong antibacterial potential expressed by the maximum zone inhibition and the lowest MIC and MBC values. The AgNPs revealed a significant antifungal effect against the growth and biofilm of Candida species. In fact, the AgNPs were efficient against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton interdigitale, and Microsporum canis. The antifungal mechanisms of action of the AgNPs seem to be due to the disruption of membrane integrity and a reduction in virulence factors (biofilm and hyphae formation and a reduction in germination). Finally, the silver nanoparticles also showed important cytotoxic activity against the human multiple myeloma U266 cell line and the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Therefore, we describe new silver nanoparticles with promising biomedical application in the development of novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Badiaa Essghaier
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tunis El-Manar II, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
- Correspondence: (B.E.); (L.R.)
| | - Nourchéne Toukabri
- Unité de Mycologie, Laboratoire de Recherche Infections et Santé Publique LR18SP01, Service de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie, Hôpital La Rabta Jebbari, Tunis 1007, Tunisia; (N.T.); (M.M.)
| | - Rihab Dridi
- Laboratoire de Matériaux, Cristallochimie et Thermodynamique Appliquée, Department of Chimie, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tunis El-Manar II, Tunis 2092, Tunisia; (R.D.); (M.F.Z.)
| | - Hédia Hannachi
- Laboratory of Vegetable Productivity and Environmental Constraint LR18ES04, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tunis El Manar II, Tunis 2092, Tunisia;
| | - Inès Limam
- Laboratory of Oncohematology, PRF of Oncohematology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis 1006, Tunisia; (I.L.); (M.A.)
| | - Filomena Mottola
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Mourad Mokni
- Unité de Mycologie, Laboratoire de Recherche Infections et Santé Publique LR18SP01, Service de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie, Hôpital La Rabta Jebbari, Tunis 1007, Tunisia; (N.T.); (M.M.)
| | - Mohamed Faouzi Zid
- Laboratoire de Matériaux, Cristallochimie et Thermodynamique Appliquée, Department of Chimie, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tunis El-Manar II, Tunis 2092, Tunisia; (R.D.); (M.F.Z.)
| | - Lucia Rocco
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
- Correspondence: (B.E.); (L.R.)
| | - Mohamed Abdelkarim
- Laboratory of Oncohematology, PRF of Oncohematology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis 1006, Tunisia; (I.L.); (M.A.)
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16
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Yu Y, Chen P, Gao M, Lan W, Sun S, Ma Z, Sultani R, Cui Y, Umar MN, Khan SW, Cai X, Liang Z, Tan H. Amphotericin B Tamed by Salicylic Acid. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:14690-14696. [PMID: 35557655 PMCID: PMC9088917 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c07201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although Amphotericin B (AmB) is considered as the "gold standard" treatment for deep fungal infections, owing to its excellent antifungal effect, it often causes severe hemolytic toxicity and nephrotoxicity, which limits its clinical use. We designed and synthesized AmB derivatives by attaching salicylic acid (SA) to the carboxyl group and confirmed their structures using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HR-MS, and IR. We evaluated its biological activity in vitro and measured its ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectrum. The AmB-SA conjugates exhibited good antifungal effects against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Cryptococcus neoformans compared with AmB, and the renal cytotoxicity toward HEK 293T cells in vitro was significantly reduced, with almost no nephrotoxicity in the therapeutic window of the drug. At the same time, the hemolytic toxicity was significantly reduced. Therefore, modification of AmB by introducing SA is an effective strategy to maintain the broad antifungal activity of AmB and reduce its cytotoxicity. These AmB derivatives could be applied in clinical therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuming Yu
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
- Department
of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital
of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518026, China
| | - Peng Chen
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Ming Gao
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Wei Lan
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Shijun Sun
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Ziwei Ma
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Rome Sultani
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon-Based Energy
Resources; College of Chemistry, Xinjiang
University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, P. R. China
| | - Yincang Cui
- Physics and
Chemistry Detect Center, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang P. R. China
| | - Muhammad Naveed Umar
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Dir (L), Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa 18800, Pakistan
| | - Sher Wali Khan
- Department
of Chemistry, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University
Sheringal, Dir (U), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 18800, Pakistan
| | - Xiaodong Cai
- Department
of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital
of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518026, China
| | - Zhenjiang Liang
- Pneumology
Department, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518026, China
| | - Hui Tan
- Pneumology
Department, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518026, China
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17
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Reddy GKK, Padmavathi AR, Nancharaiah Y. Fungal infections: Pathogenesis, antifungals and alternate treatment approaches. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2022; 3:100137. [PMID: 35909631 PMCID: PMC9325902 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2022.100137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing incidence of fungal infections of recent times requires immediate intervention. Fungal infections are seldom construed at initial stages that intensify the severity of infections and complicate the treatment procedures. Fungal pathogens employ various mechanisms to evade the host immune system and to progress the severity of infections. For the treatment of diverse superficial and systemic infections, antifungal drugs from the available repertoire are administered. However, well documented evidence of fungal resistance to most of the antifungal drugs hampers disease control and poses challenges in antifungal therapy. Several physiological adaptations and genetic mutations followed by their selection in presence of antifungal agents drive the resistance development in fungi. The availability of limited antifungal arsenal, emergence of resistance and biofilm-conferred resistance drives the need for development of novel drugs and alternate approaches for the better treatment outcome against mycoses. This graphical review explicitly shed light on various fungal infections and causative organisms, pathogenesis, different antifungal drugs and resistance mechanisms including host immune response and evasion strategies. Here, we have highlighted recent developments on novel antifungal agents and other alternate approaches for fighting against fungal infections.
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18
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Ahmadi A, Mohammadnejadi E, Karami P, Razzaghi-Asl N. Current Status and Structure Activity Relationship of Privileged Azoles as Antifungal Agents (2016-2020). Int J Antimicrob Agents 2022; 59:106518. [PMID: 35045309 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2022.106518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections have major contribution to the infectious related deaths in recent century. The issue has gotten worse with the advent of immunity impairing conditions such as HIV epidemic. Eukaryote nature of fungal pathogens leads to harder eradication than bacterial infections. Given the importance of the problem, considerable efforts have been put on the synthesis and biological assessment of azole-based chemical scaffolds and their bioisosteres. The emergence of validated macromolecular targets within different fungal species inspires structure-based drug design strategies toward diverse azole-based agents. Despite of advantageous features, emergence of drug-resistant fungal species restrict the applicability of current azoles as the first-line antifungal agents. Consequently, it appears advisable to elucidate SARs and chemical biodiversity within antifungal azoles. Current contribution was devoted to a brief look at clinically applied drugs, structure-based classification of azole antifungals and their structure activity relationships (SARs). Reviewed molecules belong to the antifungal structures that were reported throughout 2016-2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ahmadi
- Students Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - E Mohammadnejadi
- Students Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - P Karami
- Biosensor Sciences and Technologies Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - N Razzaghi-Asl
- Biosensor Sciences and Technologies Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
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19
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Savarirajan D, Ramesh VM, Muthaiyan A. In vitro antidermatophytic activity of bioactive compounds from selected medicinal plants. J Anal Sci Technol 2021; 12:53. [PMID: 34745684 PMCID: PMC8563824 DOI: 10.1186/s40543-021-00304-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are among the most difficult diseases to manage in humans. Eukaryotic fungal pathogens share many similarities with their host cells, which impairs the development of antifungal compounds. Therefore, it is desirable to harness the pharmaceutical potential of medicinal plants for antifungal drug discovery. In this study, the antifungal activity of sixteen plant extracts was investigated against selected dermatophytic fungi. Of the sixteen plants, the cladode (leaf) of Asparagus racemosus, and seed extract of Cassia occidentalis showed antifungal activity against Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum nanum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton terrestre. The plant antifungal compounds were located by direct bioassay against Cladosporium herbarum. IR and NMR spectrometry analyses of these compounds identified the presence of saponin (in A. racemosus) and hydroxy anthraquinone (in C. occidentalis) in these antifungal compounds. The antidermatophytic activity of plant anthraquinone and saponins with reports of little or no hemolytic activity, makes these compounds ideal for alternative antifungal therapy and warrants further in-depth investigation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Savarirajan
- Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025 India.,College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Grand Canyon University, 3300 W. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017 USA
| | - V M Ramesh
- Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025 India.,College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Grand Canyon University, 3300 W. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017 USA
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20
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In vitro study on the potential fungicidal effects of atorvastatin in combination with some azole drugs against multidrug resistant Candida albicans. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 37:191. [PMID: 34632522 PMCID: PMC8502632 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03158-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The resistance of Candida albicans to azole drugs represents a great global challenge. This study investigates the potential fungicidal effects of atorvastatin (ATO) combinations with fluconazole (FLU), itraconazole (ITR), ketoconazole (KET) and voriconazole (VOR) against thirty-four multidrug-resistant (MDR) C. albicans using checkerboard and time-kill methods. Results showed that 94.12% of these isolates were MDR to ≥ two azole drugs, whereas 5.88% of them were susceptible to azole drugs. The tested isolates exhibited high resistance rates to FLU (58.82%), ITR (52.94%), VOR (47.06%) and KET (35.29%), whereas only three representative (8.82%) isolates were resistant to all tested azoles. Remarkably, the inhibition zones of these isolates were increased at least twofold with the presence of ATO, which interacted in a synergistic (FIC index ≤ 0.5) manner with tested azoles. In silico docking study of ATO and the four azole drugs were performed against the Lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase enzyme (ERG11) of C. albicans. Results showed that the mechanism of action of ATO against C. albicans is similar to that of azole compounds, with a docking score (−4.901) lower than azole drugs (≥5.0) due to the formation a single H-bond with Asp 225 and a pi–pi interaction with Thr 229. Importantly, ATO combinations with ITR, VOR and KET achieved fungicidal effects (≥ 3 Log10 cfu/ml reduction) against the representative isolates, whereas a fungistatic effect (≤ 3 Log10 cfu/ml reduction) was observed with FLU combination. Thus, the combination of ATO with azole drugs could be promising options for treating C. albicans infection.
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21
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Tam CC, Nguyen K, Nguyen D, Hamada S, Kwon O, Kuang I, Gong S, Escobar S, Liu M, Kim J, Hou T, Tam J, Cheng LW, Kim JH, Land KM, Friedman M. Antimicrobial properties of tomato leaves, stems, and fruit and their relationship to chemical composition. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:229. [PMID: 34517859 PMCID: PMC8436577 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03391-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously reported that the tomato glycoalkaloid tomatine inhibited the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis strain G3, Tritrichomonas foetus strain D1, and Tritrichomonas foetus-like strain C1 that cause disease in humans and farm and domesticated animals. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance requires development of new tools to enhance or replace medicinal antibiotics. METHODS Wild tomato plants were harvested and divided into leaves, stems, and fruit of different colors: green, yellow, and red. Samples were freeze dried and ground with a handheld mill. The resulting powders were evaluated for their potential anti-microbial effects on protozoan parasites, bacteria, and fungi. A concentration of 0.02% (w/v) was used for the inhibition of protozoan parasites. A high concentration of 10% (w/v) solution was tested for bacteria and fungi as an initial screen to evaluate potential anti-microbial activity and results using this high concentration limits its clinical relevance. RESULTS Natural powders derived from various parts of tomato plants were all effective in inhibiting the growth of the three trichomonads to varying degrees. Test samples from leaves, stems, and immature 'green' tomato peels and fruit, all containing tomatine, were more effective as an inhibitor of the D1 strain than those prepared from yellow and red tomato peels which lack tomatine. Chlorogenic acid and quercetin glycosides were present in all parts of the plant and fruit, while caffeic acid was only found in the fruit peels. Any correlation between plant components and inhibition of the G3 and C1 strains was not apparent, although all the powders were variably effective. Tomato leaf was the most effective powder in all strains, and was also the highest in tomatine. S. enterica showed a minor susceptibility while B. cereus and C. albicans fungi both showed a significant growth inhibition with some of the test powders. The powders inhibited growth of the pathogens without affecting beneficial lactobacilli found in the normal flora of the vagina. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that powders prepared from tomato leaves, stems, and green tomato peels and to a lesser extent from peels from yellow and red tomatoes offer potential multiple health benefits against infections caused by pathogenic protozoa, bacteria, and fungi, without affecting beneficial lactobacilli that also reside in the normal flora of the vagina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina C Tam
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, California, 94710, USA
| | - Kevin Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Daniel Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Sabrina Hamada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Okhun Kwon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Irene Kuang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Steven Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Sydney Escobar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Max Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Jihwan Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Tiffany Hou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Justin Tam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Luisa W Cheng
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, California, 94710, USA
| | - Jong H Kim
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, California, 94710, USA
| | - Kirkwood M Land
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, 95211, USA
| | - Mendel Friedman
- Healthy Processed Foods Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, California, 94710, USA.
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Antifungal Efficacy of Redox-Active Natamycin against Some Foodborne Fungi-Comparison with Aspergillus fumigatus. Foods 2021; 10:foods10092073. [PMID: 34574183 PMCID: PMC8469148 DOI: 10.3390/foods10092073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungal antioxidant system is one of the targets of the redox-active polyene antifungal drugs, including amphotericin B (AMB), nystatin (NYS), and natamycin (NAT). Besides medical applications, NAT has been used in industry for preserving foods and crops. In this study, we investigated two parameters (pH and food ingredients) affecting NAT efficacy. In the human pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus, NAT (2 to 16 μg mL−1) exerted higher activity at pH 5.6 than at pH 3.5 on a defined medium. In contrast, NAT exhibited higher activity at pH 3.5 than at pH 5.6 against foodborne fungal contaminants, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Penicillium expansum, with P. expansum being the most sensitive. In commercial food matrices (10 organic fruit juices), food ingredients differentially affected NAT antifungal efficacy. Noteworthily, NAT overcame tolerance of the A. fumigatus signaling mutants to the fungicide fludioxonil and exerted antifungal synergism with the secondary metabolite, kojic acid (KA). Altogether, NAT exhibited better antifungal activity at acidic pH against foodborne fungi; however, the ingredients from commercial food matrices presented greater impact on NAT efficacy compared to pH values. Comprehensive determination of parameters affecting NAT efficacy and improved food formulation will promote sustainable food/crop production, food safety, and public health.
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In Vitro Confirmation of Siramesine as a Novel Antifungal Agent with In Silico Lead Proposals of Structurally Related Antifungals. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26123504. [PMID: 34201401 PMCID: PMC8230181 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The limited number of medicinal products available to treat of fungal infections makes control of fungal pathogens problematic, especially since the number of fungal resistance incidents increases. Given the high costs and slow development of new antifungal treatment options, repurposing of already known compounds is one of the proposed strategies. The objective of this study was to perform in vitro experimental tests of already identified lead compounds in our previous in silico drug repurposing study, which had been conducted on the known Drugbank database using a seven-step procedure which includes machine learning and molecular docking. This study identifies siramesine as a novel antifungal agent. This novel indication was confirmed through in vitro testing using several yeast species and one mold. The results showed susceptibility of Candida species to siramesine with MIC at concentration 12.5 µg/mL, whereas other candidates had no antifungal activity. Siramesine was also effective against in vitro biofilm formation and already formed biofilm was reduced following 24 h treatment with a MBEC range of 50-62.5 µg/mL. Siramesine is involved in modulation of ergosterol biosynthesis in vitro, which indicates it is a potential target for its antifungal activity. This implicates the possibility of siramesine repurposing, especially since there are already published data about nontoxicity. Following our in vitro results, we provide additional in depth in silico analysis of siramesine and compounds structurally similar to siramesine, providing an extended lead set for further preclinical and clinical investigation, which is needed to clearly define molecular targets and to elucidate its in vivo effectiveness as well.
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Drug Repurposing in Medical Mycology: Identification of Compounds as Potential Antifungals to Overcome the Emergence of Multidrug-Resistant Fungi. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14050488. [PMID: 34065420 PMCID: PMC8161392 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunodepression, whether due to HIV infection or organ transplantation, has increased human vulnerability to fungal infections. These conditions have created an optimal environment for the emergence of opportunistic infections, which is concomitant to the increase in antifungal resistance. The use of conventional antifungal drugs as azoles and polyenes can lead to clinical failure, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Difficulties related to treating fungal infections combined with the time required to develop new drugs, require urgent consideration of other therapeutic alternatives. Drug repurposing is one of the most promising and rapid solutions that the scientific and medical community can turn to, with low costs and safety advantages. To treat life-threatening resistant fungal infections, drug repurposing has led to the consideration of well-known and potential molecules as a last-line therapy. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of current antifungal compounds and their main resistance mechanisms, following by an overview of the antifungal activity of non-traditional antimicrobial drugs. We provide their eventual mechanisms of action and the synergistic combinations that improve the activity of current antifungal treatments. Finally, we discuss drug repurposing for the main emerging multidrug resistant (MDR) fungus, including the Candida auris, Aspergillus or Cryptococcus species.
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25
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Vu K, Blumwald E, Gelli A. The Antifungal Activity of HMA, an Amiloride Analog and Inhibitor of Na +/H + Exchangers. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:673035. [PMID: 34025629 PMCID: PMC8133316 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.673035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One path toward identifying effective and easily accessible antifungals is to repurpose commonly used drugs. Amiloride, a widely used diuretic, inhibits different isoforms of Na+/H+ exchangers, Na+ channels, and Na+/Ca2+ exchangers. Here, we found that amiloride had poor antifungal activity against isolates of Cryptococcus prompting the examination of the amiloride analog, HMA [5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride]. HMA possesses strong activity against Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) and little K+-associated toxicity since HMA has only minimal inhibitory effects toward epithelial sodium channels (ENaC), the diuretic and antikaliuretic target of amiloride. Although HMA produced a robust dose-dependent growth inhibition of several fungal isolates, susceptibility assays revealed modest MICs against isolates of Cryptococcus. A checkerboard dilution strategy resulted in fractional inhibitory concentrations (FIC) < 0.5, suggesting that HMA displays synergy with several antifungal azole drugs including posaconazole, voriconazole, and ketoconazole. Itraconazole and ravuconazole showed moderate synergy with HMA across all tested fungal isolates. In combination with HMA, ravuconazole had MICs of 0.004-0.008 μg/ml, a ∼16-fold reduction compared to MICs of ravuconazole when used alone and significantly more effective than the overall MIC90 (0.25 μg/ml) reported for ravuconazole against 541 clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans. In combination with azole drugs, MICs of HMA ranged from 3.2 μM (1 μg/ml) to 26 μM (16 μg/ml), HMA was not cytotoxic at concentrations ≤ 8 μg/ml, but MICs were above the reported HMA Ki of 0.013-2.4 μM for various Na+/H+ exchangers. Our results suggest that HMA has limited potential as a monotherapy and may have additional targets in fungal/yeast cells since strains lacking NHEs remained sensitive to HMA. We determined that the hydrophobic substituent at the 5-amino group of HMA is likely responsible for the observed antifungal activity and synergy with several azoles since derivatives with bulky polar substitutions showed no activity against Cryptococcus, indicating that other 5-substituted HMA derivatives could possess stronger antifungal activity. Moreover, substitution of other positions around the pyrazine core of HMA has not been investigated but could reveal new leads for antifungal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiem Vu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Genome and Biomedical Sciences Facility, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Eduardo Blumwald
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Angie Gelli
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Genome and Biomedical Sciences Facility, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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26
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Friedman M, Tam CC, Kim JH, Escobar S, Gong S, Liu M, Mao XY, Do C, Kuang I, Boateng K, Ha J, Tran M, Alluri S, Le T, Leong R, Cheng LW, Land KM. Anti-Parasitic Activity of Cherry Tomato Peel Powders. Foods 2021; 10:230. [PMID: 33498638 PMCID: PMC7912415 DOI: 10.3390/foods10020230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomoniasis in humans, caused by the protozoal parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease, while Tritrichomonas foetus causes trichomonosis, an infection of the gastrointestinal tract and diarrhea in farm animals and domesticated cats. As part of an effort to determine the inhibitory effects of plant-based extracts and pure compounds, seven commercially available cherry tomato varieties were hand-peeled, freeze-dried, and pounded into powders. The anti-trichomonad inhibitory activities of these peel powders at 0.02% concentration determined using an in vitro cell assay varied widely from 0.0% to 66.7% against T. vaginalis G3 (human); from 0.9% to 66.8% for T. foetus C1 (feline); and from 0.0% to 81.3% for T. foetus D1 (bovine). The organic Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (D) peels were the most active against all three trichomonads, inhibiting 52.2% (G3), 66.8% (C1), and 81.3% (D1). Additional assays showed that none of the powders inhibited the growth of foodborne pathogenic bacteria, pathogenic fungi, or non-pathogenic lactobacilli. Tomato peel and pomace powders with high content of described biologically active compounds could serve as functional food and feed additives that might help overcome adverse effects of wide-ranging diseases and complement the treatment of parasites with the anti-trichomonad drug metronidazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mendel Friedman
- Healthy Processed Foods Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Christina C. Tam
- Foodborne Toxins Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA 94710, USA; (C.C.T.); (J.H.K.); (L.W.C.)
| | - Jong H. Kim
- Foodborne Toxins Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA 94710, USA; (C.C.T.); (J.H.K.); (L.W.C.)
| | - Sydney Escobar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Steven Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Max Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Xuan Yu Mao
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Cindy Do
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Irene Kuang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Kelvin Boateng
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Janica Ha
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Megan Tran
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Srimanth Alluri
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Tam Le
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Ryan Leong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
| | - Luisa W. Cheng
- Foodborne Toxins Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA 94710, USA; (C.C.T.); (J.H.K.); (L.W.C.)
| | - Kirkwood M. Land
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (S.E.); (S.G.); (M.L.); (X.Y.M.); (C.D.); (I.K.); (K.B.); (J.H.); (M.T.); (S.A.); (T.L.); (R.L.); (K.M.L.)
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