1
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Rosa L, Cutone A, Galla R, Uberti F, Valenti P. Neutralizing activity of Usnic acid and β-cyclodextrins complex against SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudovirus. Nat Prod Res 2024; 38:2129-2134. [PMID: 37436919 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2235715] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its infection severity require an urgent development of antiviral agents. In this respect, Usnic acid (UA), a natural dibenzofuran derivative, exerts antiviral activity against several viruses, though presenting very low solubility and high cytotoxicity. Here, UA was complexed with β-cyclodextrins (β-CDs), a pharmaceutical excipient used to improve drug solubility. The cytotoxic activity, tested on Vero E6 cells, revealed no effect for β-CDs alone whereas significant cytotoxicity for the UA/β-CDs complex was recorded at concentrations ≥ 0.05%. The neutralizing activity towards the fusion of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Pseudovirus showed no effects for β-CDs alone whereas the UA/β-CDs complex, when pre-incubated with the viral particles, efficiently inhibited the Pseudoviral fusion of about 90 and 82% at non-cytotoxic concentrations of 0.03 and 0.01%, respectively. In conclusion, although further evidences are needed to clarify the exact inhibition mechanism, UA/β-CDs complex could be useful in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Antimo Cutone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Rebecca Galla
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Noivita srls, spin-off, Novara, Italy
| | - Francesca Uberti
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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2
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Ning W, Luo X, Zhang Y, Tian P, Xiao Y, Li S, Yang X, Li F, Zhang D, Zhang S, Liu Y. Broad-spectrum nano-bactericide utilizing antimicrobial peptides and bimetallic Cu-Ag nanoparticles anchored onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes for sustained protection against persistent bacterial pathogens in crops. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 265:131042. [PMID: 38521320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131042] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Worldwide crop yields are threatened by persistent pathogenic bacteria that cause significant damage and jeopardize global food security. Chemical pesticides have shown limited effectiveness in protecting crops from severe yield loss. To address this obstacle, there is a growing need to develop environmentally friendly bactericides with broad-spectrum and sustained protection against persistent crop pathogens. Here, we present a method for preparing a nanocomposite that combines antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and bimetallic Cu-Ag nanoparticles anchored onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The nanocomposite exhibited dual antibacterial activity by disrupting bacterial cell membranes and splicing nucleic acids. By functionalizing MWCNTs with small AMPs (sAMPs), we achieved enhanced stability and penetration of the nanocomposite, and improved loading capacity of the Cu-Ag nanoparticles. The synthesized MWCNTs&CuNCs@AgNPs@P nanocomposites demonstrated broad-spectrum lethality against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Glasshouse pot trials confirmed the efficacy of the nanocomposites in protecting rice crops against bacterial leaf blight and tomato crops against bacterial wilt. These findings highlight the excellent antibacterial properties of the MWCNTs&CuNCs@AgNPs@P nanocomposite and its potential to replace chemical pesticides, offering significant advantages for agricultural applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Ning
- Longping branch, Biology College, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Xiangwen Luo
- Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Peijie Tian
- Plant Protection College, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650000, China
| | - Youlun Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Shijun Li
- Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Longping branch, Biology College, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Fan Li
- Plant Protection College, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650000, China
| | - Deyong Zhang
- Longping branch, Biology College, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China; Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Songbai Zhang
- Longping branch, Biology College, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China; Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China.
| | - Yong Liu
- Longping branch, Biology College, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China; Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China.
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3
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Liang X, Chen W, Jiang B, Xiao CJ. Dibenzofurans from nature: Biosynthesis, structural diversity, sources, and bioactivities. Bioorg Chem 2024; 144:107107. [PMID: 38218069 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107107] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Dibenzofurans are a small class of natural products with versatile biological activities that used to be thought to come mainly from lichens and ascomycetes. In fact, they are also distributed widely in higher plants, especially in the families Rosaceae and Myrtaceae. Dibenzofurans and derivatives from lichens and ascomycetes have been well reviewed, but dibenzofurans from all biological sources in nature have not been reviewed. In this review, dibenzofurans from all natural sources have been comprehensively reviewed, and a total of 211 dibenzofurans isolated and identified from organisms between 1843 and March 2023 are categorized and discussed, including their biosynthesis, structural diversity, sources, and bioactivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Screening and Research on Anti-pathogenic Plant Resources from Western Yunnan, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Institute of Materia Medica & College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Screening and Research on Anti-pathogenic Plant Resources from Western Yunnan, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Institute of Materia Medica & College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Bei Jiang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Screening and Research on Anti-pathogenic Plant Resources from Western Yunnan, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Institute of Materia Medica & College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Chao-Jiang Xiao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Screening and Research on Anti-pathogenic Plant Resources from Western Yunnan, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Institute of Materia Medica & College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Dali 671000, China.
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4
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Brugnoli B, Perna G, Alfano S, Piozzi A, Galantini L, Axioti E, Taresco V, Mariano A, Scotto d'Abusco A, Vecchio Ciprioti S, Francolini I. Nanostructured Poly-l-lactide and Polyglycerol Adipate Carriers for the Encapsulation of Usnic Acid: A Promising Approach for Hepatoprotection. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:427. [PMID: 38337316 DOI: 10.3390/polym16030427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The present study investigates the utilization of nanoparticles based on poly-l-lactide (PLLA) and polyglycerol adipate (PGA), alone and blended, for the encapsulation of usnic acid (UA), a potent natural compound with various therapeutic properties including antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The development of these carriers offers an innovative approach to overcome the challenges associated with usnic acid's limited aqueous solubility, bioavailability, and hepatotoxicity. The nanosystems were characterized according to their physicochemical properties (among others, size, zeta potential, thermal properties), apparent aqueous solubility, and in vitro cytotoxicity. Interestingly, the nanocarrier obtained with the PLLA-PGA 50/50 weight ratio blend showed both the lowest size and the highest UA apparent solubility as well as the ability to decrease UA cytotoxicity towards human hepatocytes (HepG2 cells). This research opens new avenues for the effective utilization of these highly degradable and biocompatible PLLA-PGA blends as nanocarriers for reducing the cytotoxicity of usnic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Brugnoli
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Greta Perna
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Alfano
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Piozzi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Luciano Galantini
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Eleni Axioti
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Vincenzo Taresco
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Alessia Mariano
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Scotto d'Abusco
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vecchio Ciprioti
- Department of Basic and Applied Science for Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via del Castro Laurenziano 7, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Iolanda Francolini
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 00185 Rome, Italy
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5
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Grover A, Kumar A, Tittal RK, Lal K. Dehydroacetic acid a privileged medicinal scaffold: A concise review. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2300512. [PMID: 37972261 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300512] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
From the last decade, research on dehydroacetic acid (DHA) and its derivatives has increased immensely due to its significant role in various fields, including medicine, cosmetics, food industry, and so on. In the medicinal area, DHA plays an essential role in developing novel action-based drugs, which are helpful for treating various diseases. Besides its plethora of biological applications, its chelating ability offers the easiest synthetic route for synthesizing more active metal complexes. DHA derivatives along with their metal complexes show a number of biological activities and also exhibit various interactions with multiple biological targets. This article summarizes recent medicinal applications (2000-onwards) of DHA-based compounds and their analogs, along with their structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis. Their interactions with different target enzymes are also discussed. This information derived from SAR analysis would be helpful for medicinal chemists working on the development of drugs based on heterocyclic frameworks, particularly those based on the DHA scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshul Grover
- Department of Chemistry, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Aman Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Ram Kumar Tittal
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India
| | - Kashmiri Lal
- Department of Chemistry, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India
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Zhang Y, Han Y, Huang Z, Huang Y, Kong J, Sun Y, Cao J, Zhou T. Restoring Colistin Sensitivity and Combating Biofilm Formation: Synergistic Effects of Colistin and Usnic Acid against Colistin-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2457-2470. [PMID: 37944020 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00315] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Colistin (COL), the last line of defense in clinical medicine, is an important therapeutic option against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In this context, the emergence of colistin-resistant (COL-R) bacteria mediated by broad-spectrum efflux pumps, mobile genetic elements, and biofilm formation poses a significant public health concern. In response to this challenge, a novel approach of combining COL with usnic acid (UA) has been proposed in this study. UA is a secondary metabolite derived from lichens and is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of UA and COL against COL-R Enterobacteriaceae both in vitro and in vivo. The exceptional synergistic antibacterial activity exhibited by the combination of COL and UA was demonstrated by performing a comprehensive set of assays, including the checkerboard assay, time-dependent killing assay, and Live/Dead bacterial cell viability assay. Furthermore, crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy assays revealed the inhibitory effect of this combination on the biofilm formation. Mechanistically, the combination of UA and COL exacerbated cell membrane rupture, induced DNA damage, and generated a significant amount of reactive oxygen species, which ultimately resulted in bacterial cell death. In addition, erythrocyte hemolysis and cell viability tests confirmed the biocompatibility of the combination. The evaluation of the COL/UA combination in vivo using Galleria mellonella larvae and a mouse infection model showed a significant improvement in the survival rate of the infected larvae as well as a reduction in the bacterial load in the mouse thigh muscle. These findings, for the first time, provide strong evidence for the potential application of COL/UA as an effective alternative therapeutic option to combat infections caused by COL-R Enterobacteriaceae strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, China
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 32500, China
| | - Yijia Han
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 32500, China
| | - Zeyu Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, China
| | - Yali Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, China
| | - Jingchun Kong
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 32500, China
| | - Yao Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, China
| | - Jianming Cao
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 32500, China
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, China
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7
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Rivero-Pino F, Casanova AG. Hepatotoxicity due to dietary supplements: state-of-the-art, gaps and perspectives. Crit Rev Toxicol 2023; 53:601-610. [PMID: 38062980 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2282415] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Food supplements are products intended to complement the normal diet and consist of concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect. Although they are generally considered safe if the manufacturer's recommendations are followed, many of them have shown hepatotoxic properties. This can cause many diseases (e.g. steatohepatitis and cirrhosis) characterized by progressive damage and malfunction of the liver that in the long term can lead to death. A review of the literature was carried out to elucidate which dietary supplements have been associated with cases of hepatotoxicity in recent years, with emphasis on those relevant to the consumer and the new trends (e.g. cannabidiol). It has been reported that the supplements described as hepatotoxic are mainly of botanical origin (e.g. green tea or turmeric) and those used in sports (mainly anabolic androgenic steroids). There is a great variability of compounds described as causing liver damage, although sometimes it is not possible to identify them, because they are contaminants or adulterants of the products. In addition, the prevalence of toxic effects after the administration of supplements is difficult to define due to underreporting and the lack of specific studies. Globally regarding hepatotoxicity of dietary supplements, there is a paucity of well-conducted clinical trials on the efficacy of these compounds and the frequency of related liver damage, as the use of these products is largely uncontrolled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Rivero-Pino
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Alfredo G Casanova
- Toxicology Unit, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Group of Translational Research on Renal and Cardiovascular Diseases (TRECARD), Salamanca, Spain
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8
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Stoica Oprea AE, Albuleț D, Bîrcă AC, Iordache F, Ficai A, Grumezescu AM, Vasile BȘ, Andronescu E, Marinescu F, Holban AM. Electrospun Nanofibrous Mesh Based on PVA, Chitosan, and Usnic Acid for Applications in Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11037. [PMID: 37446215 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Injuries and diseases of the skin require accurate treatment using nontoxic and noninvasive biomaterials, which aim to mimic the natural structures of the body. There is a strong need to develop biodevices capable of accommodating nutrients and bioactive molecules and generating the process of vascularization. Electrospinning is a robust technique, as it can form fibrous structures for tissue engineering and wound dressings. The best way of forming such meshes for wound healing is to choose two polymers that complement each other regarding their properties. On the one hand, PVA is a water-soluble synthetic polymer widely used for the preparation of hydrogels in the field of biomedicine owing to its biocompatibility, water solubility, nontoxicity, and considerable mechanical properties. PVA is easy to subject to electrospinning and can offer strong mechanical stability of the mesh, but it is necessary to improve its biological properties. On the other hand, CS has good biological properties, including biodegradability, nontoxicity, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties. Still, it is harder to electrospin and does not possess as good mechanical properties as PVA. As these structures also allow the incorporation of bioactive agents due to their high surface-area-to-volume ratio, the interesting point was to incorporate usnic acid into the structure as it is a natural and suitable alternative agent for burn wounds treatment which avoids an improper or overuse of antibiotics and other invasive biomolecules. Thus, we report the fabrication of an electrospun nanofibrous mesh based on PVA, chitosan, and usnic acid with applications in wound healing. The obtained nanofibers mesh was physicochemically characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vitro biological assays were performed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the samples using the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) assay and evaluating the influence of fabricated meshes on the Staphylococcus aureus biofilm development, as well as their biocompatibility (demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy results, an XTT assay, and a glutathione (GSH) assay).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Elena Stoica Oprea
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Delia Albuleț
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandra Cătălina Bîrcă
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Florin Iordache
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 105 Blvd. Splaiul Independentei, 050097 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anton Ficai
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Str. No. 3, 50044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ștefan Vasile
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei Street, 077206 Bucharest, Romania
- Research Center for Advanced Materials, Products and Processes, University of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ecaterina Andronescu
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Florica Marinescu
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei Street, 077206 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alina Maria Holban
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei Street, 077206 Bucharest, Romania
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Wang H, Xuan M, Diao J, Xu N, Li M, Huang C, Wang C. Metabolism and toxicity of usnic acid and barbatic acid based on microsomes, S9 fraction, and 3T3 fibroblasts in vitro combined with a UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1207928. [PMID: 37397492 PMCID: PMC10308081 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1207928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Usnic acid (UA) and barbatic acid (BA), two typical dibenzofurans and depsides in lichen, have a wide range of pharmacological activities and hepatotoxicity concerns. This study aimed to clarify the metabolic pathway of UA and BA and illuminate the relationship between metabolism and toxicity. Methods: An UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method was developed for metabolite identification of UA and BA in human liver microsomes (HLMs), rat liver microsomes (RLMs), and S9 fraction (RS9). The key metabolic enzymes responsible for UA and BA were identified by enzyme inhibitors combined with recombinant human cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. The cytotoxicity and metabolic toxicity mechanism of UA and BA were determined by the combination model of human primary hepatocytes and mouse 3T3 fibroblasts. Results: The hydroxylation, methylation, and glucuronidation reactions were involved in the metabolic profiles of UA and BA in RLMs, HLMs, and RS9. CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and UGT1A1 are key metabolic enzymes responsible for metabolites of UA and CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP1A1, UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, and UGT1A10 for metabolites of BA. UA and BA did not display evident cytotoxicity in human primary hepatocytes at concentrations of 0.01-25 and 0.01-100 µM, respectively, but showed potential cytotoxicity to mouse 3T3 fibroblasts with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 7.40 and 60.2 µM. Discussion: In conclusion, the attenuated cytotoxicity of BA is associated with metabolism, and UGTs may be the key metabolic detoxification enzymes. The cytotoxicity of UA may be associated with chronic toxicity. The present results provide important insights into the understanding of the biotransformation behavior and metabolic detoxification of UA and BA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxue Wang
- Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for TCM Complex Prescription, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Xuan
- Department of Pharmacy, Qingdao Eighth People’s Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Juanjuan Diao
- Analysis and Testing Center, Xinjiang Medical University (Xuelanshan Campus), Urumqi, China
| | - Nan Xu
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for TCM Complex Prescription, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Manlin Li
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for TCM Complex Prescription, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Changhong Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for TCM Complex Prescription, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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10
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Paździora W, Podolak I, Grudzińska M, Paśko P, Grabowska K, Galanty A. Critical Assessment of the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Usnic Acid and Its Derivatives-A Review. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041046. [PMID: 37109575 PMCID: PMC10146228 DOI: 10.3390/life13041046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a response of the organism to an external factor that disrupts its natural homeostasis, and it helps to eliminate the cause of tissue injury. However, sometimes the body's response is highly inadequate and the inflammation may become chronic. Thus, the search for novel anti-inflammatory agents is still needed. One of the groups of natural compounds that attract interest in this context is lichen metabolites, with usnic acid (UA) as the most promising candidate. The compound reveals a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties, among which anti-inflammatory properties have been studied both in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this review was to gather and critically evaluate the results of the so-far published data on the anti-inflammatory properties of UA. Despite some limitations and shortcomings of the studies included in this review, it can be concluded that UA has interesting anti-inflammatory potential. Further research should be directed at the (i) elucidation of the molecular mechanism of UA; (ii) verification of its safety; (iii) comparison of the efficacy and toxicity of UA enantiomers; (iv) design of UA derivatives with improved physicochemical properties and pharmacological activity; and (v) use of certain forms or delivery carriers of UA, especially in its topical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Paździora
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Irma Podolak
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Marta Grudzińska
- Department of Food Chemistry and Nutrition, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Paśko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Nutrition, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Karolina Grabowska
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Galanty
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
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PCL/Collagen/UA Composite Biomedical Dressing with Ordered Microfiberous Structure Fabricated by a 3D Near-Field Electrospinning Process. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 15:polym15010223. [PMID: 36616572 PMCID: PMC9824864 DOI: 10.3390/polym15010223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, a functionalized polycaprolactone (PCL) composite fiber combining calf-type I collagen (CO) and natural drug usnic acid (UA) was prepared, in which UA was used as an antibacterial agent. Through 3D near-field electrospinning, the mixed solution was prepared into PCL/CO/UA composite fibers (PCUCF), which has a well-defined perfect arrangement structure. The influence of electrospinning process parameters on fiber diameter was investigated, the optimal electrospinning parameters were determined, and the electric field simulation was conducted to verify the optimal parameters. The addition of 20% collagen made the composite fiber have good hydrophilicity and water absorption property. In the presence of PCUCF, 1% UA content significantly inhibited the growth rate of Gram-positive and negative bacteria in the plate culture. The AC-PCUCF (after crosslinking PCUCF) prepared by crosslinking collagen with genipin showed stronger mechanical properties, water absorption property, thermal stability, and drug release performance. Cell proliferation experiments showed that PCUCF and AC-PCUCF had no cytotoxicity and could promote cell proliferation and adhesion. The results show that PCL/CO/UA composite fiber has potential application prospects in biomedical dressing.
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