In vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts and compounds isolated from Cladonia uncialis

Heptane (Hep), diethyl ether (Et₂O), acetone (Me₂CO) and methanolic (MeOH) extracts, as well as ( ? )-usnic acid and squamatic acid, were obtained from thallus of Cladonia uncialis (Cladoniaceae). The antimicrobial activities of these extracts, ( ? )-usnic acid and squamatic acid, were tested against reference strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. In addition, Me₂CO extract was analysed against 10 strains of Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolated from patients. All extracts exerted antibacterial activity against the reference strain S. aureus, comparably to chloramphenicol [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 5.0 μg/mL]. The Me₂CO extract exhibited the strongest activity against S. aureus (MIC = 0.5 μg/mL), higher than ( ? )-usnic acid, whereas squamatic acid proved inactive. The Me₂CO extract showed potent antimicrobial activity against MRSA (MIC 2.5–7.5 μg/mL). Also no activity of C. uncialis extracts against E. coli and C. albicans was observed.     

A new analog of pyrrolezanthine from the roots of Reynoutria ciliinervis (Nakai) Moldenke

In the present study, a new analogue of pyrrolezanthine (1) was isolated from the roots of Reynoutria ciliinervis (Nakai) Moldenke. Its structure was elucidated mainly by NMR, HR-ESI-MS and the single-crystal X-ray diffraction spectroscopic data. Meanwhile, the antimicrobial activity of compound 1 was measured, it exhibited potent antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum with MIC value of 31.2 μg/mL.     

Trixis angustifolia hexanic extract displays synergistic antibacterial activity against M. tuberculosis

A phytochemical and antibacterial study of Trixis angustifolia, a species endemic to Mexico, was performed allowing the isolation of six flavones. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the hexanic extract, against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv was 25 μg/mL. The hexanic extract caused a significant inhibition of intracellular mycobacterial growth at 12.5 μg/mL. The biodirected assay of hexane extract enabled the detection of an active fraction (AF) against M. tuberculosis (MIC = 12.5 μg/mL), and a major flavone 1 (pebrellin) with no antimycobacterial activity (MIC > 200 μg/mL). A subsequent combination antimicrobial assay showed a synergistic antimycobacterial effect of AF in combination with pebrellin; the results of the synergistic activity suggest that the antimycobacterial activity found in T. angustifolia is due to the combined action of diverse metabolites present in the plant.     

Flavonoids from Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel (Myrtaceae) with antifungal activity

Plinia cauliflora is a plant species with edible fruits but its chemical composition is not totally known yet although former studies showed its potential as antifungal agent. This work aimed the chemical analysis of the leaves, the activity against fungi species and evaluated cytotoxicity. Extract was obtained with 70% ethanol. An ethyl acetate fraction was obtained and glycosylated quercetin and myricetin were isolated. Samples were tested against Candida species, dermatophytes and entomopathogenic fungi. Cytotoxicity was evaluated against fibroblast cells. Extract showed good activity against C. albicans (minimum inhibitory concentration at 156 μg/mL), C. parapsilosis (78 μg/mL), C. krusei (19 μg/mL), Trichophyton rubrum (78 μg/mL) and Microsporum canis (156 μg/mL). Isolated compounds were more active against C. krusei and T. rubrum. The extract, which was the more active sample, demonstrated low cytotoxic effect and encourage more studies against rising non-albicans species and dermatophyte T. rubrum.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Antimicrobial Screening of 4″‐methyl‐2,2″‐diaryl‐4,2′:4′,5″‐terthiazole Derivatives

A series of novel 4″‐methyl‐2,2″‐diaryl‐4,2′:4′,5″‐terthiazole ( 8a‐p ) derivatives has been synthesized and screened for antibacterial activity against four pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas flurescence, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. Among them, compounds 8a and 8j exhibited excellent antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration range of 1.0 to 5.3 μg/mL and compounds 8m and 8p exhibited moderate to good antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration range of 16.9 to 29.7 μg/mL against all tested strains. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antifungal activity against Cocinida candida. Most of the compounds reported moderate antifungal activity. This study provides valuable directions to our ongoing endeavor of rationally designing more potent antimicrobial agent.     

A new sesquiterpene from the entomogenous fungus Phomopsis amygdali

A new sesquiterpene, (+)-S-1-methyl-abscisic-6-acid (1), together with five known compounds, (+)-S-abscisic acid (2), fusicoccin J (3), 3α-hydroxyfusicoccin J (4), (R)-5-hydroxymethylmellein (5) and 4-hydroxyphenethyl acetate (6) was isolated from the fermentation extract of Phomopsis amygdali, an entomogenous fungus isolated from Call midge. Their structures were determined mainly by analysis of MS and NMR spectroscopic data. Compounds 1–6 were tested for antimicrobial activity against three plant pathogenic fungi: Gibberella zeae, Verticillium albo-atrum, and Fusarium nivale, and two bacteria: Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2033E. As a result, compounds 1–4 displayed antibacterial activity against Gram-negative P. aeruginosa 2033E, and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC value) of 1–4 is 30 μg/mL, 58 μg/mL, 26 μg/mL, and 26 μg/mL, respectively.     

Anti-leptospiral activities of an endemic plant Glyptopetalum calocarpum (Kurz.) Prain used as a medicinal plant by Nicobarese of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Leaves of an endemic plant Glyptopetalum calocarpum are used by Nicobarese tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, to prepare traditional medicine for treating fever. In the present investigation, pharmacologically active compounds were isolated from this plant and their antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated against the leptospiral strains. The anti-leptospiral activity of six plant-derived compounds was determined by both microdilution and macrodilution methods. Two out of six compounds, namely lupenone and stigmasterol, showed anti-leptospiral activity. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the two compounds tested against pathogenic leptospiral strains belonging to 10 serovars were in the range of 100–200 μg/mL. The range of minimum bactericidal concentrations was 400–800 μg/mL. Compounds lupenone, stigmasterol, lupeol, β-amyrin and β-amyrin acetate had negligible or no haemolytic activity, exhibiting IC₅₀ values of greater than 5 mg/mL. Further in vivo studies are needed to investigate the pharmacological and toxicological properties of G. calocarpum before it can be considered as a new anti-leptospiral agent.     

Bioactive DOPA melanin isolated and characterised from a marine actinobacterium Streptomyces sp. MVCS6 from Versova coast

The melanin pigment produced from Streptomyces sp., MVCS6 was isolated and dihydroxyphenyalanine (DOPA) melanin compound was biochemically identified and spectroscopically characterised (ultraviolet and FT-IR). DOPA melanin showed a promising activity as an antibacterial natural product against 12 pathogenic bacteria from hospital isolations, particularly, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa RMMH7 (inhibition zone of 18 ± 0.02 at 30 μg/disc, and MIC of 10 ± 0.02 μg/mL) and Vibrio parahaemolytics RMMH12 (inhibition zone of 15 mm ± 0.03 at 30 μg/disc, and MIC of 14 ± 0.02 μg/mL). Moreover, in vitro evaluation of reducing power (Ascorbic Acid Equivalent (160 μg/mL)), DPPH radical-scavenging (89%), NO-scavenging (72%) and lipid peroxidation activities (89.6%) were determined. Cytotoxicity of DOPA melanin against cervical cancer cell line showed a dose–response activity, and IC₅₀ value was found to be 300 μg/mL. These results would open the way to propose Streptomyces sp. MVCS6 as a promising source of bioactive eumelanin with therapeutic potential in medicine.     

In vitro pharmacological screening of three newly synthesised pyrimidine derivatives

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of three new pyrimidine derivatives, namely, 2,6-bis(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-ylthio)benzene-1,4-diol (1),3,5-bis(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-ylthio)-2-methylbenzene-1,4-diol (2) and 3,5-bis(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-ylthio)-2-methoxybenzene-1,4-diol (3), synthesised by electrochemical method are presented here. The compounds were screened for their activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcusaureus, Escherichia coli and a pathogenic fungus Aspergillus niger. The results show that these compounds have significant activity against these bacteria and fungus. The minimum inhibitory concentration of compound 1 was determined as 62.5 μg/mL against B. subtilis, 125 μg/mL against E. coli and 250 μg/mL against S. aureus establishing its promising activities higher than susceptible ranges.     

Antifungal activity of cinnamic acid and benzoic acid esters against Candida albicans strains

Candida albicans is an important opportunistic fungal pathogen capable of provoking infection in humans. In the present study, we evaluated the antifungal effect of 23 ester derivatives of the cinnamic and benzoic acids against 3 C. albicans strains (ATCC-76645, LM-106 and LM-23), as well as discuss their Structure–Activity Relationship (SAR). The antifungal assay results revealed that the screened compounds exhibited different levels of activity depending on structural variation. Among the ester analogues, methyl caffeate (5) and methyl 2-nitrocinnamate (10) were the analogues that presented the best antifungal effect against all C. albicans strains, presenting the same MIC values (MIC = 128 μg/mL), followed by methyl biphenyl-2-carboxylate (21) (MIC = 128, 128 and 256 μg/mL for C. albicans LM-106, LM-23, and ATCC-76645, respectively). Our results suggest that certain molecular characteristics are important for the antifungal action.     

Quantification of polyphenols and flavonoid content and evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of Stenocereus stellatus extracts

The hexanic, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts from branches of Stenocereus stellatus were tested in both the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) – induced ear oedema model and antimicrobial activity assay. The % of oedema inhibition, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), as well as the polyphenolic and flavonoid content were determined. Also, extracts were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In TPA model, the three extracts showed moderate oedema inhibition. In the antimicrobial activity assay, methanolic extract shows better MIC against all strains. The lowest MICs were for Candida albicans (31 μg/mL) and Rhizopus sp. (15 μg/mL). Also, 50.78 mg eq. of gallic acid/g extract of polyphenol and 115.12 mg eq. of catequine/g extract of flavonoids content were founded in ethyl acetate extract. In the chromatographic analysis, β-sitosterol, β-amyrine, betulin and some other molecules were identified. The results show that S. stellatus possess antimicrobial activities against some fungus species.     

Chemical composition of the essential oil from the leaves of Anaxagorea brevipes (Annonaceae) and evaluation of its bioactivity

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from leaves of Anaxagorea brevipes was analysed by gas chromatography fitted with a flame ionisation detector (GC–FID) and coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Thirty one components were identified, representing around 75.7% of total oil. The major components were β-eudesmol (13.16%), α-eudesmol (13.05%), γ-eudesmol (7.54%), guaiol (5.12%), caryophyllene oxide (4.18%) and β-bisabolene (4.10%). The essential oil showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast with the MIC values between 25.0 and 100 μg/mL. The highest antiproliferative activity was observed for the oil against MCF-7 (breast, TGI = 12.8 μg/mL), NCI-H460 (lung, TGI = 13.0 μg/mL) and PC-3 (prostate, TGI = 9.6 μg/mL) cell lines, while against no cancer cell line HaCat (keratinocyte) the TGI was 38.8 μg/mL. The oil exhibited a small antioxidant activity assessed through ORAC-FL assay (517 μmol TE/g). This is the first report regarding the chemical composition and bioactivity of A. brevipes essential oil.     

Amino acid profiling and antimicrobial activity of Cucurbita moschata and Lagenaria siceraria seed protein hydrolysates

Cucurbita moschata and Lagenaria siceraria seed proteins were extracted and hydrolysed with trypsin in order to recover antibacterial peptides. Amino acid content and molecular weight distribution were estimated to justify their co-relationship with antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activities of C. moschata and L. siceraria seed protein hydrolysates against three Gram-negative bacteria and two Gram-positive bacteria were evaluated. Seed protein hydrolysates of both of these plants have significantly higher activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (p < 0.05). The lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values of L. siceraria hydrolysates (LSH) and C. moschata hydrolysates (CMH) were 70 ± 6.2 and 135.6 ± 4.5 μg/mL in viable count method and 73.2 ± 2.9 and 122.9 ± 3.2 μg/mL in turbidity method, respectively, against A. baumannii. Based on the above findings, seed protein hydrolysates of these plants may be considered as nutritional food and functional antimicrobial agents in food system.     

Chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of the essential oil from the leaves of Psidium myrtoides O. Berg (Myrtaceae)

In this study, the chemical composition and antibacterial and antiproliferative potential of the essential oil obtained from fresh leaves of Psidium myrtoides (PM-EO) against oral pathogens and human tumour cell lines were investigated for the first time. GC-FID and GC-MS analyses showed that trans-β-caryophyllene (30.9%), α-humulene (15.9%), α-copaene (7.8%), caryophyllene oxide (7.3%) and α-bisabolol (5.3%) are the major constituents of PM-EO. The antibacterial activity of PM-EO against a panel of oral pathogens was investigated in terms of their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) using the broth microdilution method. PM-EO displayed moderate activity against Streptococcus mitis (MIC = 100 μg/mL), S. sanguinis (MIC = 100 μg/mL), S. sobrinus (MIC = 250 μg/mL), and S. salivarius (MIC = 250 μg/mL), and strong activity against S. mutans (MIC = 62.5 μg/mL). The antiproliferative activity in normal (GM07492A, lung fibroblasts) and tumour cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa, and M059 J) was performed using the XTT assay. PM-EO showed 50% inhibition of normal cell growth at 359.8 ± 6.3 μg/mL. Antiproliferative activity was observed against human tumour cell lines, with IC₅₀ values significantly lower than that obtained for the normal cell line, demonstrating IC₅₀ values for MCF-7 cells (254.5 ± 1.6 μg/mL), HeLa cells (324.2 ± 41.4 μg/mL) and M059 J cells (289.3 ± 10.9 μg/mL). Therefore, the cytotoxicity of PM-EO had little influence on the antibacterial effect, since it showed antibacterial activity at lower concentrations. Our results suggest that PM-EO is a promising source of new antibacterial and antitumour agents.     

Commercial Origanum compactum Benth. and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume essential oils against natural mycoflora in Valencia rice

Chemical composition of commercial Origanum compactum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils and the antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi isolated from Mediterranean rice grains have been investigated. Sixty-one compounds accounting for more than 99.5% of the total essential oil were identified by using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Carvacrol (43.26%), thymol (21.64%) and their biogenetic precursors p-cymene (13.95%) and γ-terpinene (11.28%) were the main compounds in oregano essential oil, while the phenylpropanoids, eugenol (62.75%), eugenol acetate (16.36%) and (E)-cinnamyl acetate (6.65%) were found in cinnamon essential oil. Both essential oils at 300 μg/mL showed antifungal activity against all tested strains. O. compactum essential oil showed the best antifungal activity towards Fusarium species and Bipolaris oryzae with a total inhibition of the mycelial growth. In inoculated rice grains at lower doses (100 and 200 μg/mL) significantly reduced the fungal infection, so O. compactum essential oil could be used as ecofriendly preservative for field and stored Valencia rice.     

Pradimicin-IRD from Amycolatopsis sp. IRD-009 and its antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities

A new polycyclic antibiotic, pradimicin-IRD, was isolated from actinobacteria Amycolatopsis sp. IRD-009 recovered from soil of Brazilian rainforest undergoing restoration area. This molecule is the major compound produced in solid culture media. The new compound was detected by a focused method of precursor ion (high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometer) developed previously to identify unusual aminoglycosyl sugar moieties. The compound was isolated and its structure was, therefore, elucidated by high-resolution mass spectrometry, and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. Pradimicin-IRD displayed potential antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus agalactiae (MIC 3.1 μg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC 3.1 μg/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 3.1 μg/mL), and also cytotoxicity against tumour and non-tumour cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.8 μM in HCT-116 colon carcinoma cells to 2.7 μM in MM 200 melanoma cells. Particularly, these biological properties are described for the first time for this chemical class.     

Pyranocarbazoles from Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. as antimicrobial agents

The bioassay guided fractionation of methanolic extract of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. leaves resulted in the isolation of seven pyranocarbazoles. These were evaluated against four bacterial strains and ten Candida sp. including two matched pair of fluconazole sensitive/resistant clinical isolates. Out of seven, three i.e. Koenine (mk279), Koenigine (mk309) and Mahanine (mk347) exhibited significant antibacterial activity MIC90 3.12–12.5 μg/mL against bacterial strains Streptococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia compared with standard drug Kanamycin MIC90 12.5 μg/mL. However, only mk309 was found active against variety of Candida species MIC90 12.5–100 μg/mL. It was observed that hydroxylation at C-6 and C-7 positions in the studied pyranocarbazoles activate the bioactivity. Simultaneously, decrease in Log P value compares with ?H and ?O?CH3 substituted derivatives. The study is focused on selective antifungal and antibacterial activity of pyranocarbazoles on bacterial strains S. aureus, K. pneumonia and variety of Candida species with structure activity relationship observations.     

In vitro avarol does affect the growth of Candida sp.

This work extends in vitro screening of antimicrobial activity of avarol, the marine natural product firstly isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Dysidea avara. Its anticandidial activity was evaluated by microdilution method against eight Candida strains, two ATCC and six clinical ones. At a different extent this compound was proven to be active against all the strains tested (MIC 0.8–6.0 μg/mL and MFC 1.6–12.0 μg/mL, respectively). According to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on avarol activity towards any yeast strain which may be of relevance for Alzheimer’s disease. Indeed, avarol derivatives showing moderate AChE activity should be screened for anticandidial activity both in vitro and in vivo.     

Phytochemical profile and biological activities of Deverra tortuosa (Desf.)DC.: a desert aromatic shrub widespread in Northern Region of Saudi Arabia

The present study describes the chemical composition of the essential oil of different plant parts of Devrra tortuosa; in vivo and in vitro biological activities of plant extract and essential oils. Apiol was found to be the major component of the oil (between 65.73% and 74.41%). The best antioxidant activities were observed for the oil of flowers (IC50 = 175 μg/ml). The samples of stems and roots exhibit lower antioxidant activity (IC50 = 201 μg/ml and 182 μg/ml, respectively). The values of IC50 showed that the extracts of methanol exhibit the highest antioxidants activities (IC50 = 64.8 102 μg/ml). EOs showed excellent antifungal activity against yeasts with low azole susceptibilities (i.e. Malassezia spp. and Candida krusei). The MIC values of oils varied between 2.85 mg/mL and 27 mg/mL. The obtained results also showed that the plant extracts inhibited the germination and the shoot and root growth of Triticum æstivum seedlings.     

Chemical composition and biological activities of Iranian Achillea wilhelmsii L. essential oil: a high effectiveness against Candida spp. and Escherichia strains

In the case of Achillea wilhelmsii, 30 compounds were identified representing 94.48% of the total oil with a yield of 0.82% w/w. The major constituents of the oil were described as α-thujene (6.11%), α-pinene (5.11%), sabinene (5.23%), p-cymene (7%), 1,8-cineole (6%), linalool (10%), camphor (8.43%), thymol (18.98%) and carvacrol (20.13%). A. wilhelmsii oil exhibited higher antibacterial and antifungal activities with a high effectiveness against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration/minimum fungicidal concentration value (2 ± 0.0–2 ± 0.0 g/mL, 1 ± 0.5–1 ± 0.5 g/mL), respectively. Results showed that A. wilhelmsii oil exhibits a higher activity in each antioxidant system with a special attention for β-carotene bleaching test (IC₅₀: 19 μg/mL) and reducing power (EC₅₀: 10 μg/mL). Antioxidant activity-guided fractionation of the oil was carried out by TLC-bioautography screening and fractionation resulted in the separation of main antioxidant compounds which were identified as thymol (65%) and carvacrol (19%). In conclusion, these results support the use of the essential oil and its main compounds for their antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity.