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Roosen L, Maes D, Musetta L, Himmelreich U. Preclinical Models for Cryptococcosis of the CNS and Their Characterization Using In Vivo Imaging Techniques. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:146. [PMID: 38392818 PMCID: PMC10890286 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii remain a challenge to our healthcare systems as they are still difficult to treat. In order to improve treatment success, in particular for infections that have disseminated to the central nervous system, a better understanding of the disease is needed, addressing questions like how it evolves from a pulmonary to a brain disease and how novel treatment approaches can be developed and validated. This requires not only clinical research and research on the microorganisms in a laboratory environment but also preclinical models in order to study cryptococci in the host. We provide an overview of available preclinical models, with particular emphasis on models of cryptococcosis in rodents. In order to further improve the characterization of rodent models, in particular the dynamic aspects of disease manifestation, development, and ultimate treatment, preclinical in vivo imaging methods are increasingly used, mainly in research for oncological, neurological, and cardiac diseases. In vivo imaging applications for fungal infections are rather sparse. A second aspect of this review is how research on models of cryptococcosis can benefit from in vivo imaging methods that not only provide information on morphology and tissue structure but also on function, metabolism, and cellular properties in a non-invasive way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Roosen
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dries Maes
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luigi Musetta
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Alnasser SM, Azam F, Alqarni MH, Aodah AH, Hashmi S, Kamal M, Meshal A, Alam A. Development and Evaluation of Novel Encapsulated Isoeugenol-Liposomal Gel Carrier System for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Gels 2023; 9:gels9030228. [PMID: 36975677 PMCID: PMC10048158 DOI: 10.3390/gels9030228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria have seriously threatened the health and safety of the world’s population. This challenge demands the development of alternative therapies based on plant origin. This molecular docking study ascertained the orientation and intermolecular interactions of isoeugenol within penicillin-binding protein 2a. In this present work, isoeugenol as an anti-MRSA therapy was selected by encapsulating it into a liposomal carrier system. After encapsulation into the liposomal carrier, it was evaluated for encapsulation efficiency (%), particle size, zeta potential, and morphology. The percentage entrapment efficiency (% EE) was observed to be 57.8 ± 2.89% with a particle size of 143.31 ± 7.165 nm, a zeta potential of (−)25 mV, and morphology was found to be spherical and smooth. After this evaluation, it was incorporated into a 0.5% Carbopol gel for a smooth and uniform distribution on the skin. Notably, the isoeugenol-liposomal gel was smooth on the surface with a pH of 6.4, suitable viscosity, and spreadability. Interestingly, the developed isoeugenol-liposomal gel was safe for human use, with more than 80% cell viability. The in vitro drug release study shows promising results with 75.95 ± 3.79% of drug release after 24 h. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 8.236 µg/mL. Based on this, it can be concluded that encapsulating isoeugenol into the liposomal gel is a potential carrier for MRSA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaiman Mohammed Alnasser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Unaizah 51911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faizul Azam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Unaizah 51911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed H. Alqarni
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alhussain H. Aodah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sana Hashmi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Unaizah 51911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mehnaz Kamal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alotaibi Meshal
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al-Batin 39911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aftab Alam
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence:
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Bai S, Yu Y, An L, Wang W, Fu X, Chen J, Ma J. Ellagic Acid Increases Stress Resistance via Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling Pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196168. [PMID: 36234702 PMCID: PMC9571563 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ellagic acid is a natural polyphenol found in various fruits and vegetables. Numerous studies have shown that ellagic acid has beneficial effects on human health. In this study, we investigated the stress resistant action of ellagic acid in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Notably, 50 μM ellagic acid prolonged the lifespan of C. elegans by 36.25%, 36.22%, 155.1%, and 79.07% under ultraviolet radiation stress, heat stress, oxidative stress, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection stress, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanism by which ellagic acid reduces the damage caused by ultraviolet radiation in C. elegans was explored. Ellagic acid could significantly induce the nucleus translocation of DAF-16 and, thereby, activate a series of target genes to resist ultraviolet radiation stress. Moreover, ellagic acid also significantly increased the expression of SOD-3 by 3.61 times and the activity of superoxide dismutase by 3.70 times to clean out harmful reactive oxygen species in C. elegans exposed to ultraviolet radiation stress. In both daf-16 mutant and daf-2; daf-16 double-mutant worms exposed to ultraviolet radiation, ellagic acid could no longer prolong their lifespan. These results indicate that ellagic acid plays an important role in resisting ultraviolet radiation stress in C. elegans, probably in an insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway-dependent way.
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Aguiar TKB, Neto NAS, Freitas CDT, Silva AFB, Bezerra LP, Malveira EA, Branco LAC, Mesquita FP, Goldman GH, Alencar LMR, Oliveira JTA, Santos-Oliveira R, Souza PFN. Antifungal Potential of Synthetic Peptides against Cryptococcus neoformans: Mechanism of Action Studies Reveal Synthetic Peptides Induce Membrane-Pore Formation, DNA Degradation, and Apoptosis. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081678. [PMID: 36015304 PMCID: PMC9416200 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a human-pathogenic yeast responsible for pneumonia and meningitis, mainly in patients immunocompromised. Infections caused by C. neoformans are a global health concern. Synthetic antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs) have emerged as alternative molecules to cope with fungal infections, including C. neoformans. Here, eight SAMPs were tested regarding their antifungal potential against C. neoformans and had their mechanisms of action elucidated by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopies. Five SAMPs showed an inhibitory effect (MIC50) on C. neoformans growth at low concentrations. Fluorescence microscope (FM) revealed that SAMPs induced 6-kDa pores in the C. neoformans membrane. Inhibitory assays in the presence of ergosterol revealed that some peptides lost their activity, suggesting interaction with it. Furthermore, FM analysis revealed that SAMPs induced caspase 3/7-mediated apoptosis and DNA degradation in C. neoformans cells. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that peptides induced many morphological alterations such as cell membrane, wall damage, and loss of internal content on C. neoformans cells. Our results strongly suggest synthetic peptides are potential alternative molecules to control C. neoformans growth and treat the cryptococcal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tawanny K. B. Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Nilton A. S. Neto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Cleverson D. T. Freitas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Ayrles F. B. Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Leandro P. Bezerra
- Department of Fisheries Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60455-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Ellen A. Malveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Levi A. C. Branco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Felipe P. Mesquita
- Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-275, CE, Brazil
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana M. R. Alencar
- Department of Physics, Laboratory of Biophysics and Nanosystems, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil
| | - Jose T. A. Oliveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Ralph Santos-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Nanoradiopharmaceuticals and Radiopharmacy, Zona Oeste State University, Rio de Janeiro 23070-200, RJ, Brazil
- Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, Nuclear Engineering Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21941-906, RJ, Brazil
| | - Pedro F. N. Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451-970, CE, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-275, CE, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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