Chemically Tuning Resveratrol for the Effective Killing of Gram-Positive Pathogens

Effect of peanut stilbenoids, arachidin-1 and arachidin-3, on Streptococcus mutans growth and acid production

In this study we evaluated the effect of prenylated peanut stilbenoids on the growth, biofilm accumulation and acid production of the dental caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans. Prior research with the non-prenylated stilbenes, resveratrol and piceatannol, has shown that these molecules are active against S. mutans. Here we sought to determine if the addition of a prenyl group to the stilbene backbone increased anti-S. mutans activities. Two prenylated stilbenes, arachidin-1 and arachidin-3, were produced using a peanut hairy root production system. Compared to resveratrol and piceatannol, both arachidin-1 and arachidin-3 led to greater inhibition of S. mutans planktonic growth. This effect also led to reduced biofilm formation, by inhibiting growth, instead of a specific action against biofilm cells. Lastly, sub-MIC concentrations of arachidin-3 reduced the acid production of S. mutans above the 'critical pH' that leads to tooth enamel erosion. In summary, stilbenoids have anti-S. mutans activity, and prenylation enhances this activity.

From Plants to Wound Dressing and Transdermal Delivery of Bioactive Compounds

Transdermal delivery devices and wound dressing materials are constantly improved and upgraded with the aim of enhancing their beneficial effects, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and cost effectiveness. Therefore, researchers in the field have shown an increasing interest in using natural compounds as constituents for such systems. Plants, as an important source of so-called "natural products" with an enormous variety and structural diversity that still exceeds the capacity of present-day sciences to define or even discover them, have been part of medicine since ancient times. However, their benefits are just at the beginning of being fully exploited in modern dermal and transdermal delivery systems. Thus, plant-based primary compounds, with or without biological activity, contained in gums and mucilages, traditionally used as gelling and texturing agents in the food industry, are now being explored as valuable and cost-effective natural components in the biomedical field. Their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity compensate for local availability and compositional variations. Also, secondary metabolites, classified based on their chemical structure, are being intensively investigated for their wide pharmacological and toxicological effects. Their impact on medicine is highlighted in detail through the most recent reported studies. Innovative isolation and purification techniques, new drug delivery devices and systems, and advanced evaluation procedures are presented.

Analytics, Properties and Applications of Biologically Active Stilbene Derivatives

Stilbene and its derivatives belong to the group of biologically active compounds. Some derivatives occur naturally in various plant species, while others are obtained by synthesis. Resveratrol is one of the best-known stilbene derivatives. Many stilbene derivatives exhibit antimicrobial, antifungal or anticancer properties. A thorough understanding of the properties of this group of biologically active compounds, and the development of their analytics from various matrices, will allow for a wider range of applications. This information is particularly important in the era of increasing incidence of various diseases hitherto unknown, including COVID-19, which is still present in our population. The purpose of this study was to summarize information on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of stilbene derivatives, their biological activity, potential applications as preservatives, antiseptics and disinfectants, and stability analysis in various matrices. Optimal conditions for the analysis of the stilbene derivatives in question were developed using the isotachophoresis technique.