Stonebrood and chalkbrood in Apis mellifera causing fungi: in vitro sensitivity to some essential oils

Aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antimycotic activity of 17 chemically defined essential oils (EOs) both alone and as a mixture, against agents responsible for stonebrood caused by Aspergillus flavus, and chalkbrood caused by Ascosphaera apis in European honeybees. Cinnamomum zeylanicum yielded the lowest MIC value against A. flavus, but was not effective against A. apis, while Litsea cubeba and Pelargonium graveolens appeared to be effective against all checked fungi. Aspergillus niger showed the lower sensitivity. Two mixtures composed by L. cubeba, C. zeylanicum and Cymbopogon flexuosus (M1) and by L. cubeba, C. zeylanicum, P. graveolens and C. flexuosus (M2), respectively, were tested, both resulting effective. The components of M1 showed a synergistic effect. The use of mixtures allowed to decrease the total amount of EOs. The use of these products could be of interest for an alternative natural approach in honeybee disease management.     

Antimicrobial evaluation of selected naturally occurring oxyprenylated secondary metabolites

This study tested the antimicrobial activity of eight selected naturally occurring oxyprenylated secondary metabolites against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, S. epidermidis ATCC 35984, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Results showed a moderate antimicrobial activity. The most active compounds were 3-(4-geranyloxyphenyl)-1-ethanol (4) and 3-(4-isopentenyloxyphenyl)-1-propanol (5) that were tested on mature and in-formation biofilms of all micro-organisms, moreover the cytotoxic activity was evaluated. Except for S. epidermidis, both compounds reduced significantly (p < 0.05) the microbial biofilm formation at 1/2 MIC and 1/4 MIC, in particular, compounds 4 and 5 at each concentration, inhibited E. coli biofilm formation to a greater extent, the biofilm formation was never more than 44% in respect to the control, moreover both compounds showed a low cytotoxic effect. Oxyprenylated derivatives may be of great interest for the development of novel antimicrobial therapeutic strategies and the synthesis of semi-synthetic analogues with anti-biofilm efficacy.     

Chemical composition of essential oils from different parts of Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand and their in vitro antibacterial activity

Abstract

In Brazilian folk medicine, Protium heptaphyllum is used to treat inflammatory conditions and to hasten wound repair. This paper aims to investigate the chemical composition and the in vitro antibacterial effects of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from P. heptaphyllum leaves and ripe and unripe fruits against a representative panel of oral pathogens. The GC-FID and GC-MS analysis revealed that the major components determined in P. heptaphyllum essential oils were myrcene (59.0%), β-elemene (17.2%), limonene (12.9%), spathulenol (12.6%), α-cubebene (11.6%), germacrene D (10.6%), trans-nerolidol (9.8%), and α-cadinol (8.8%). The essential oils of the ripe and unripe fruits showed the strongest antibacterial activity against the anaerobic bacteria Prevotella nigrescens (MIC?=?50?µg/mL). The leaf essential oil displayed very promising activity against Streptococcus mutans (MIC?=?50?µg/mL) and Streptococcus mitis (MIC?=?62.5?µg/mL). The antibacterial activity of EOs against oral pathogens is also described for the first time.

     

A rare diketopiperazine glycoside from marine-sourced Streptomyces sp. ZZ446

Abstract

Two diketopiperazines were isolated from a culture of the marine-derived actinomycete Streptomyces sp. ZZ446. Their structures were elucidated as maculosin (1) and maculosin-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (2) based on their NMR and HRESIMS data, specific rotation, and chemical degradation. Maculosin-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (2) is a new diketopiperazine glycoside, a structural class not reported previously from the natural sources. Both compounds showed antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans with MIC values in a range from 26.0 to 37.0?μg/mL.

     

Comparative study of the chemical profiling,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oils of different parts of Thymus willdenowii Boiss & Reut

The analysis of Thymus willdenowii Boiss &; Reut essential oils (TW EOs) shows 33 components accounting for (96.3–97.7%) of all identified. The main constituents of TW EOs were thymol (35.5–47.3%), p-cymene (13.9–23.8%), γ-terpinene (8.9–20.3%). The antioxidant assays revealed that all TW EOs tested showed strong activities, the antimicrobial effect of TW EOs has been tested against isolated clinical strains of Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 35659), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 10876), and Aspergillus brasilliensis (ATCC 16404). The antimicrobial test indicates that TW EOs show an inhibition effect against all the tested bacteria with a MIC of 6.9 to 27.6 μg/mL^?1. These results proving that the essential oils extracted from Thymus willdenowii Boiss &; Reut may be a new potential source of natural antimicrobial applied in pharmaceutical and food industries.     

Chemical constituents from the leaves of Melia azedarach

Six compounds, benzyl 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-7-hydroxybenzoate (1), spathulenol (2), 1,7,8-trihydroxy-2-naphtaldehyde (3), quercetin (4), astragalin (5) and 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenyl β-D-glucoside (6), were isolated from the leaves of Melia azedarach L. The structure elucidation of compound 1 was discussed in detail based on its 2D-NMR data. Compound 1 showed weak cytotoxicity against the cell lines of T-24, NCI-H460, HepG2, SMMC-7721, CNE, MDA-MB-231 and B16F10 with the inhibition rates from 10.01% to 34.05% at the concentration of 80?μM.     

The absolute configuration of anti-Vibrio citrinin dimeric derivative by VCD,ECD and NMR methods

Citrinin dimeric derivatives are bioactive polyketides previously reported from Penicillium, Aspergillus and Monascus fungi species. Due to the large distance between the stereogenic centers of the two monomer units, it was difficult to determine the absolute configuration of the whole molecule (1). In previous work, the absolute configuration of 1 was just proposed by biogenetic considerations. To address this problem, the experimental VCD of 1 was compared with the corresponding DFT calculations for two diastereomers (1a and 1b). Also, the experimental ECD and NMR spectra of 1 were combined for analysis with the corresponding theoretical predictions for different diastereomers. Additionally, compound 1 showed promising anti-Vibrio activity against pathogenic Vibrio spp. with MIC values ranging from 0.4 to 0.8?μM.

     

Two new triterpenoids from Gardenia jasminoides fruits

A new cycloartane triterpenoid, named gardenolic acid C (1), a new ursane triterpenoid, named 3β,16β,21β,23,24-pentahydroxy urs-12,18,20-trien-28-oic acid γ-lactone (2), together with three know triterpenoids, gardenolic acid A (3), gardenolic acid B (4), and 3α,16β,23,24-tetrahydroxy-28-nor-ursane-12,17,19,21-tetraen (5) were isolated from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by analyses of spectroscopic data. All isolates were evaluated for their neuroprotective effects in vitro.

     

Antimicrobial pentacyclic triterpenes and glycosides from the stem bark of Cussonia bancoensis

Abstract

The stem bark of Cussonia bancoensis is used traditionally for the treatment of different types of infection and pain. A bioassay guided fractionation of the methanol stem bark extract led to the isolation of five pentacyclic triterpenes and glycosides identified based on spectroscopic data as 23-hydroxyursolic acid (CB1), hederagenin (CB2), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-echinocystic acid (CB3), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl- oleanolic acid (CB4) and 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-ursolic acid (CB5). CB2 - CB5 are being reported for the first time from this species. The compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against ten microorganisms using the HT-SPOTi method. CB3 demonstrated remarkable antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, S. pyogens, E. faecalis, S. typhi and C. albicans at MICs between 3.12 and 12.5?µg/mL. Among the studied compounds, it was observed that hydroxylation of position C-16 of the oleanane skeleton may enhance antimicrobial activity. This study gives insight into the anti-infective constituents of the stem bark of C. bancoensis and justifies its use in ethnomedicine.     

In vitro evaluation of the amoebicidal activity of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and cloves (Syzygium aromaticum L. Merr. & Perry) essential oils against Acanthamoeba polyphaga trophozoites

Several species of the genus Acanthamoeba cause human diseases. Treatment of infections involves various problems, emphasising the need to develop alternative antiprotozoal agents. We studied the anti-amoebic activity of Essential Oils (EOs), derived from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and cloves (Syzygium aromaticum L. Merr. & Perry), against Acanthamoeba polyphaga strain. The amoebicidal activity of cloves and rosemary EOs was preliminary demonstrated by the morphology change (modifications in the cell shape, the presence of precipitates in the cytoplasm, autophagic vesicles, membrane blends) of the treated trophozoites. The cell-counts, carried out after staining trophozoites with a Trypan blue solution, revealed that both EOs were active in a dose-dependent manner and in relation to the exposure time. This activity was evident after few hours, with encouraging results obtained in particular with cloves EO, able to act at the lower concentrations and after 1 h, probably for its high eugenol content (65.30%).     

New cytotoxic flavonoids from aerial parts of Platycladus orientalis L.

Abstract

Investigation of Platycladus orientalis yielded five flavonoids, including aglycone flavone 1 (apigenin), flavone glycoside 2 (apigenin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside), new gernaylated flavone glycoside 3 (apigenin 8-gernayl-4′-O-α-gluco pyranoside) and two new pernylated flavonoid glycosides 4 & 5 (apigenin 8-pernyl-4′-glucopyranosyl-7-O-α-glucopyranoside and apigenin 5-pernyl-7-glucopyranosyl-4′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1–5 were tested against Lung adenocarcinoma (A549), human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HepG2), human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines and mouse fibroblast cell line NIH/3T3 as normal cells. This assay gave spot on structure activity relationship which, showed that cytotoxicity of compounds (1) and (2) against three cell lines was weak as IC₅₀?>?15. Compounds (4) and (5) had moderate cytotoxic and no toxic effect on normal cell. Compound (3) showed high cytotoxic activity against tested three cell lines with no toxic effect of normal cells.

     

A new source of oxygenated monoterpenes with phytotoxic activity: essential oil of Cuminum Cyminum L. from Iran

Abstract

Chemical constitutes and phytotoxic activity of Cuminum cymiunm L. is investigated in the present study. For this means seeds of C. cyminum L. was harvested from Ilkhchi of Iran. The major components of essential oil (EO) with more than 94% were 3-caren-10-al, cuminal, 2-Caren-10-al, γ-Terpinene, (-)-β-Pinene and p-Cymene. This study found that cumin EO displayed meaningful inhibitory impacts on germination indices and the growth of the seedlings of Amaranthus retroflexus, Lactuca sativa, and Acroptilon repens. The germination indices showed severely concentration-dependent responses. In the case of A. retroflexus and L. sativa germination indices were controlled in the 500?ppm and in the A. repens were inhibited in the 1500?ppm of EO concentration. Overall, this study suggests that EO derived from C. cyminum L. looks to be a promising candidate for its utilization as a natural herbicide in large scale.     

Protective effect of Epicatechin on APAP-induced acute liver injury of mice through anti-inflammation and apoptosis inhibition

Abstract

Epicatechin (EC) is the most effective compound in Euonymus alatus (Thunb.)Sieb, and possesses a series of benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiobesity and anticancer effects. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of EC in Acetaminophen(N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP)-induced acute liver injury in C57BL/6J mice and explored the possible mechanisms involved in these effects.

     

Synthesis and antimicrobial studies of half-sandwich arene platinum group complexes containing pyridylpyrazolyl ligands

The reaction of [(arene)MCl₂]₂ with pyridylpyrazolyl ligands (L1 and L2) in the presence of ammonium hexafluorophosphate leads to formation of cationic complexes having the general formula [(arene)M(L)Cl]PF₆ {M?=?Ru, arene = p-cymene (1, 4); Cp*, M?=?Rh (2, 5); Cp*, M?=?Ir (3, 6); L?=?2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (L1), 2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (L2)}. Similarly the reaction of [CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl] and [(ind)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl] (ind?=?η⁵-C₉H₇) with L1 and L2 yielded cationic complexes which have been formulated as [(Cp/ind)Ru(L)PPh₃]PF₆ (7–10). All these complexes were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The pyridylpyrazolyl ligands coordinated metal through pyridyl and pyrazolyl nitrogens forming a six-membered metallacycle. The ligands as well as the complexes were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion method against two Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus thuriengiensis). Results show that the ligands and the complexes have significant antibacterial activity against Gram negative bacteria.     

Synthesis,identification and antimicrobial activity of substituted thiazolines and 1,3,4-thiadiazines from dehydroacetic acid

The reaction of thiosemicarbazones with various α-chloroketones in the presence of anhydrous NaOAc led to 4-thiazolines 5, 7 or 1,3,4-thiadiazines 11 in good yields. Structure elucidation was carried out by ¹H, ¹³C, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The purity of these new products was confirmed by HRMS. A possible mechanism for the formation of 5, 7, and 11 was discussed. All the synthesized novel 4-thiazoline and 1,3,4-thiadiazine derivatives were evaluated in vitro for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against six pathogenic bacteria and a strain of yeast: Escherichia coli ATCC 25992, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27852, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 methicillin-resistant, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 methicillin-sensitive, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 4698 Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Candida albicans IPA (200). Some compounds exhibited relatively significant antibacterial and antifungal activities.     

Antimicrobial secondary metabolites of an endolichenic Aspergillus niger isolated from lichen thallus of Parmotrema ravum

Abstract

A new 6-benzyl-γ-pyrone (1), named aspergyllone was isolated from the culture filtrates of an endolichenic fungus Aspergillus niger Tiegh, obtained from lichen thallus Parmotrema ravum (Krog & Swinscow) Serus, collected in India. 1 was isolated for the first time from an endolichenic fungus together with six other known metabolites identified as aurasperones A (2) and D (3), asperpyrone A (4), fonsecinone A (5), carbonarone A (6) and pyrophen (7). The compounds were tested against a panel of human, plant, food borne and fish pathogens. Aspergyllone showed strong selective antifungal activity against Candida parapsilosis (Ashford) Langeron & Talice, with an IC₅₀ of 52?µg/mL. Aurasperone A and pyrophen showed moderate to strong antimicrobial activity inhibiting seven different test pathogens, being pyrophen active with IC₅₀ ranging from 35 to 97?µg/mL.

     

α-Tetralone glycosides from the green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. and their cytotoxic activities

Abstract

Five new α-tetralone glycosides, juglanbiosides A-E (1–5), together with an α-tetralone derivative (15) and nine known 1,4-naphthoquinones (6–14) were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic methods (¹H, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, HSQC, HMBC, CD, HR-ESI-MS). In vitro cytotoxicities of all the isolated compounds were evaluated against BGC-823, HCT-15 and K562 cancer cell lines.

     

Prenylated isoflavones with potential antiproliferative activities from Mappianthus iodoides

Abstract

A phytochemical investigation on the stems of Mappianthus iodoides led to the isolation of a new naturally occurring prenylated isoflavone, mappianthone A (1), together with seven known analogues (2?8). The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparison with data reported in the literature. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against five human cancer cell lines: HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW480 in vitro. Compounds 1?8 showed significant antiproliferative effects against several human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.16 to 12.68?μM.

     

Antibacterial activity of commercially available plant-derived essential oils against oral pathogenic bacteria

This work investigated the antibacterial activity of 15 commercially available plant-derived essential oils (EOs) against a panel of oral pathogens. The broth microdilution method afforded the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of the assayed EOs. The EO obtained from Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Lauraceae) (CZ-EO) displayed moderate activity against Fusobacterium nucleatum (MIC and MBC = 125 μg/mL), Actinomyces naeslundii (MIC and MBC = 125 μg/mL), Prevotella nigrescens (MIC and MBC = 125 μg/mL) and Streptococcus mutans (MIC = 200 μg/mL; MBC = 400 μg/mL). (Z)-isosafrole (85.3%) was the main chemical component of this oil. We did not detect cinnamaldehyde, previously described as the major constituent of CZ-EO, in specimens collected in other countries.     

A new 5α,8α-epidioxysterol with immunosuppressive activity from the South China Sea soft coral Sinularia sp.

Abstract

A new 5α,8α-epidioxysterol, namely yalongsterol A (1), along with two known related steroids 5α,8α-epidioxy-24-methyl-cholesta-6,24(28)-dien-3β-ol (2) and (22E,24S)-5α,8α-epidioxy-24-methyl-cholesta-6,22-dien-3β-ol (3), were isolated from the South China Sea soft coral Sinularia sp. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparisons of the spectral data with those reported in the literature. In bioassay, compounds 1–3 showed moderate immunosuppressive activities against T and/or B lymphocyte cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 19.30 to 59.49 μM, and low cytotoxicity on murine splenocytes with CC₅₀ values ranging from 40.88 to 62.29 μM.