Glabridin triggers over-expression of MCA1 and NUC1 genes in Candida glabrata: Is it an apoptosis inducer?

The growing trends of emergence of antifungal-resistant Candida strains has recently been inspired the researchers to design new antifungal agents with novel mechanisms of action. Glabridin is an originally natural substrate with multiple biological activities which propose it as a novel anticancer, antimicrobial and antifungal agent. In the present study, the antifungal effect of glabridin against Candida glabrata isolates and its possible mechanism of action were investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for glabridin against fluconazole-resistant and fluconazole-SDD strains of C. glabrata were investigated using the Clinical and laboratory standards institute document M27-A3 and M27-S4 as a guideline. Possible alternations in the expression of two critical genes involved in yeast apoptosis, MCA1 and NUC1, were assayed by real-time PCR. DNA damage and chromatin condensation was investigated using DAPI staining. Although glabridin led to a significant decrease in MICs against fluconazole-resistant C. glabrata (MIC₅₀: 8μg/mL), no significant decreased was shown for fluconazole-SDD strains. Therefore, a distinct azole-independent mechanism could be responsible for the inhibitory activity of glabridin. Overexpression of MCA1 and NUC1 genes in addition to DNA damage and chromatin condensation suggesting the involvement of apoptosis signaling in C. glabrata stains exposed to glabridin. This study suggests that glabridin might be considered as a novel naturally originated agent to fight against fluconazole-resistance C. glabrata strains.

One new pyrroline compound from Callistemon viminalis (Sol. Ex Gaertner) G.Don Ex Loudon

One new compound: 3,4-dihydro-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-methyl-2H-pyrrol-2-ol (5) was isolated from the fruits and bark of Callistemon viminalis along with the known compounds lupeol (1), octacosanol (2), β-sitosterol (3), betulin (4), betulinic acid (6), ursolic acid (7), corosolic acid (8), β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside (9), methyl gallate (10), gallic acid (11), catechin (12), ellagic acid (13) and 3-O-acetylursolic acid (14) (compound 14 was isolated from the bark and not detected in the fruits). Structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data (NMR, MS, IR spectra and COSY and HR-MS for 5a). The antioxidant activity of the total extracts, petroleum ether, CH2Cl2 and EtOAc fractions together with the compounds 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 was comparable with that of the standard antioxidant, ascorbic acid.

Clove oil cream: a new effective treatment for chronic anal fissure

OBJECTIVE

Anal fissure is a common painful condition affecting the anal canal and causes considerable morbidity and reduction in quality of life. Surgical treatment has been associated with a degree of incontinence in up to 30% of patients. This study discussed the results of clove oil 1% cream in healing of chronic anal fissure.

METHOD

A single-blind randomized comparative trial was setup to compare traditional treatment with stool softeners and lignocaine cream 5% against clove oil 1% cream for 6 weeks.

RESULTS

55 patients were included in this study, 30 patients in clove oil group and 25 patients in control group. Healing had occurred in 60% of patients in clove oil group and in 12% of patients in the control group after 3-month follow up (P < 0.001). Patients in clove oil group showed significant reduction in resting anal pressure and almost all other anorectal manometric pressures compared with patients in control group.

CONCLUSION

Topical application of clove oil cream demonstrated a significant beneficial effect when applied to patients suffering from chronic anal fissure.

New terpenoids from Haplopappus multifolius

The chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Haplopappus multifolius afforded the new monoterpene 2,9-epoxy-p-menth-6-en-8-ol (7, haplopappol), the new monoterpenoid ester 9-cis-p-coumaroyloxy-alpha-terpineol (8, haplofolin), the new diterpene 18-hydroxylabda-7,13Z-dien-15-oic acid (6) and its known E-isomer (5). In addition, the known dihydroflavones 3',5-dihydroxy-4',7-dimethoxydihydroflavone and 3',4',5-trihydroxy-7-methoxydihydroflavone and the known dihydroflavonols 3',5-dihydroxy-4',7-dimethoxydihydroflavonol and 3',4',5-trihydroxy-3-acetyl-7-methoxydihydroflavonol were also obtained. The structural assignments of these compounds were made possible by the different spectroscopic measurements.

Two flavonoid glycosides from Chenopodium murale

Two new triglycosides, kaempferol-3-O-[(4-beta-D-apiofuranosyl)-alpha-L- rhamnopyranoside]-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside and kaempferol-3-O-[(4-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside]-7-O- alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside were isolated from the methanol extract of Chenopodium murale, together with a known diglycoside, kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside. The characterization of the three compounds was achieved by various spectroscopic methods.