Solvent-free one-pot synthesis,characterization, antibacterial and antifungal activities of novel spiropiperidinyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3-thiones

A novel approach towards the synthesis of spiropiperidinyl 1,2,4-triazolidine-3-thiones was proposed, exploiting microwave activation coupled with solvent-free reaction conditions. In search for new leads towards potent antimicrobial agents, we tested all the synthesized compounds for their in vitro antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Candida-6, and Candida-51. Two of the compounds exerted strong in vitro antibacterial activity against B. subtilis and M. luteus, and all the synthesized compounds were potent against the tested fungal strains.     

Photodynamic therapy with Pc 4 induces apoptosis of Candida albicans

The high prevalence of drug resistance necessitates the development of novel antifungal agents against infections caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens, such as Candida albicans. Elucidation of apoptosis in yeast-like fungi may provide a basis for future therapies. In mammalian cells, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been demonstrated to generate reactive oxygen species, leading to immediate oxidative modifications of biological molecules and resulting in apoptotic cell death. In this report, we assess the in vitro cytotoxicity and mechanism of PDT, using the photosensitizer Pc 4, in planktonic C. albicans. Confocal image analysis confirmed that Pc 4 localizes to cytosolic organelles, including mitochondria. A colony formation assay showed that 1.0 μM Pc 4 followed by light at 2.0 J cm(-2) reduced cell survival by 4 logs. XTT (2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxyanilide) assay revealed that Pc 4-PDT impaired fungal metabolic activity, which was confirmed using the FUN-1 (2-chloro-4-[2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-(benzo-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-methylidene]-1-phenylquinolinium iodide) fluorescence probe. Furthermore, we observed changes in nuclear morphology characteristic of apoptosis, which were substantiated by increased externalization of phosphatidylserine and DNA fragmentation following Pc 4-PDT. These data indicate that Pc 4-PDT can induce apoptosis in C. albicans. Therefore, a better understanding of the process will be helpful, as PDT may become a useful treatment option for candidiasis.     

New triazole derivatives containing substituted 1, 2, 3-triazole side chains: Design,synthesis and antifungal activity

In order to discover new generation of triazole antifungal agents,a series of novel antifungal triazoles were designed and synthesized by structural simplification of our previously identified triazole-piperdine-heterocycle lead compounds.Several target compounds showed good antifungal activity with a broad spectrum.In particular,compound 7l was highly active against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.Moreover,compound 7l showed potent in vivo antifungal efficacy in the Caenorhabditis elegans-C.albicans infection model.     

Isolation and structure elucidation of parnafungins, antifungal natural products that inhibit mRNA polyadenylation

The Candida albicans Fitness Test, a whole-cell screening platform, was used to profile crude fermentation extracts for novel antifungal natural products with interesting mechanisms of action. An extract with intrinsic antifungal activity from the fungus Fusarium larvarum displayed a Fitness Test profile that strongly implicated mRNA processing as the molecular target responsible for inhibition of fungal growth. Isolation of the active components from this sample identified a novel class of isoxazolidinone-containing natural products, which we have named parnafungins. These natural products were isolated as an interconverting mixture of four structural- and stereoisomers. The isomerization of the parnafungins was due to a retro-Michael ring-opening and subsequent reformation of a xanthone ring system. This interconversion was blocked by methylation of an enol moiety. Structure elucidation of purified parnafungin derivatives was accomplished by X-ray crystallography and NMR analysis. The biochemical target of these natural products has been identified as the fungal polyadenosine polymerase. Parnafungins demonstrated broad spectrum antifungal activity with no observed activity against gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria. The intact isoxazolidinone ring was required for antifungal activity. In addition, the natural products were efficacious in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis.     

Antifungal activity from 14-helical beta-peptides

We have discovered that short beta-peptides (9 or 10 residues) designed to adopt globally amphiphilic helical conformations display significant antifungal activity. The most promising beta-peptides cause little lysis of human red blood cells at concentrations that kill Candida albicans, a common human fungal pathogen. Since fungi are eukaryotes, discrimination between fungal and human cells is a significant finding. Our beta-peptides are active under assay conditions that mimic physiological ionic strength; in contrast, alpha-helix-forming host-defense alpha-peptides are inactive against C. albicans under these conditions.     

1,2,3-Triazole incorporated coumarin derivatives as potential antifungal and antioxidant agents

A series of novel ethyl-7-((1-(benzyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylates 8a-h as potential antifungal agents were synthesized via click chemistry. The antifungal activity was evaluated against five human pathogenic fungal strains, such as Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Cryptococcus neoformans. Compound 8c, 8d, 8e and 8h were found to be equipotent against C. albicans when compared with miconazole and compound 8f was found to be two-fold more active compared with miconazole and equipotent to fluconazole against C. albicans. The coumarin-based triazole derivatives were also evaluated for antioxidant activity and compound 8a was found to be potent antioxidant when compared with standard drug. Furthermore, molecular docking study of the newly synthesized compounds was performed and results showed good binding mode in the active site of fungal C. albicans enzyme P450 cytochrome lanosterol 14α-emethylase. Moreover, the synthesized compounds were also analyzed for ADME properties and showed potential to build up as good oral drug candidates.     

PAP inhibitor with in vivo efficacy identified by Candida albicans genetic profiling of natural products

Natural products provide an unparalleled source of chemical scaffolds with diverse biological activities and have profoundly impacted antimicrobial drug discovery. To further explore the full potential of their chemical diversity, we survey natural products for antifungal, target-specific inhibitors by using a chemical-genetic approach adapted to the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans and demonstrate that natural-product fermentation extracts can be mechanistically annotated according to heterozygote strain responses. Applying this approach, we report the discovery and characterization of a natural product, parnafungin, which we demonstrate, by both biochemical and genetic means, to inhibit poly(A) polymerase. Parnafungin displays potent and broad spectrum activity against diverse, clinically relevant fungal pathogens and reduces fungal burden in a murine model of disseminated candidiasis. Thus, mechanism-of-action determination of crude fermentation extracts by chemical-genetic profiling brings a powerful strategy to natural-product-based drug discovery.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluations of Some Novel Mono‐, Bis‐, and Tris‐Nitro‐1,2,4‐Triazines

Substituted‐1,2,4‐triazines were conveniently synthesized in one pot by the cyclization of arylnitroformaldehyde hydrazone derivatives 1 and 5 with different primary amines in ~37% formaldehyde solution. The synthesized compounds were arranged into novel mono‐, bis‐, and tris‐nitro‐1,2,4‐triazine derivatives 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , and 7 . The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the synthesized compounds were screened against bacterial strains Escherichia coli (as Gram − ve) and Staphylococcus aureus (as Gram + ve), and fungal strains Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans . All the synthesized compounds exhibit various patterns of inhibitory activity on the two pathogenic bacterial strains. However, the same compounds showed no activity against the tested fungal strains.     

1,2,3-Triazole tethered acetophenones: Synthesis,bioevaluation and molecular docking study

A small focused library of eighteen new 1,2,3-triazole tethered acetophenones has been efficiently prepared via click chemistry approach and evaluated for their antifungal and antioxidant activity. The antifungal activity was evaluated against five human pathogenic fungal strains: Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Among the synthesized compounds, 9c, 9i, and 9p found to be more potent antifungal agents that the reference standard. These 1,2,3-triazole based derivatives were also evaluated for antioxidant activity, and compound 9h was found to be the most potent antioxidant as compared to the standard drug. Furthermore, molecular docking study of the newly synthesized compounds was performed and results showed good binding mode in the active site of fungal C. albicans enzyme P450 cytochrome lanosterol 14a-demethylase. Moreover, the synthesized compounds were also analyzed for ADME properties and showed potential as good oral drug candidates.     

Design,synthesis and antifungal activities in vitro of novel tetralin compounds

Novel chiral tetralin compounds were designed and synthesized, and their antifungal activities in vitro were tested. The results showed that all of target compounds had potent antifungal activities, and were stronger than that of control compounds tetrahydroisoquinolines. The binding model of lead molecules in the active site of CYP51 of Candida albicans showed that lead compound specifically interacted with the amino acids residues in the active site, without binding with the heme of CYP51, which was different from azole antifungal drugs. The present study might afford a novel lead molecule to develop non-azole CYP51 inhihitars of fungi.     

新型三唑醇衍生物的合成及抗真菌活性

依据三唑醇类化合物的构效关系, 保留基本药效团三唑环、叔醇羟基和2,4-二氟苯基, 引入新的含哌嗪侧链结构, 设计合成了12个1-(1H-1,2,4-三唑-1-基)-2-(2,4-二氟苯基)-3-取代-2-丙醇类化合物.     

Design and Synthesis of New Aryloxy‐linked Dimeric 1,2,3‐Triazoles via Click Chemistry Approach: Biological Evaluation and Molecular Docking Study

A quest for more potent new antitubercular agents has prompted to design and synthesize aryloxy‐linked dimeric 1,2,3‐triazoles ( 4a – j ), from azides ( 2a‐e ) and bis(prop‐2‐yn‐1‐yloxy)benzene ( 3a – b ) on 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction via copper (I)‐catalyzed click chemistry approach with good to better yields. The titled compounds ( 4a – j ) were designed using molecular hybridization approach by assembling various bioactive pharmacophoric fragments in a single molecular framework. All the synthesized compounds have been screened for their in vitro antitubercular, antifungal, and antioxidant activities against their respective strains. Among them, 4h and 4i show the highest antifungal activity, whereas compounds 4h , 4i , and 4j have revealed promising antitubercular activity against their respective strains. In addition to this, most of the synthesized compounds were found as potent antifungal and antioxidant agents. A significant network of bonded and non‐bonded interactions stabilized these molecules into the active site of fungal CYP51 that is realized from the obtained well‐placed docking poses and the associated thermodynamic interactions with the enzyme. The synthesized compounds have also been analyzed for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties.     

Synthesis,docking and ADMET prediction of novel 5-（（5-substituted- 1 -H- 1,2,4-triazol-3-yl ） methyl ）-4, 5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno [ 3,2-c ] pyri- dine as antifungal agents

A novel series of 5-((5-substituted-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)methyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridines 5(a–i) has been synthesized from thienopyridine hydrazide, substituted aromatic nitriles using 4-dimethylaminopyridine(DMAP) as a catalyst under microwave irradiation and evaluated for their in vitro antifungal activity. Compound 5g is found to be more potent against Candida albicans when compared with miconazole. Docking study of the newly synthesized compounds was performed, and results showed good binding mode in the active site of fungal enzyme P450 cytochrome lanosterol 14 ademethylase. ADMET properties of synthesized compounds were also analyzed and showed good drug like properties. The results of in vitro antifungal activity, docking study and ADMET prediction revealed that the synthesized compounds have potential antifungal activity and can be further optimized and developed as a lead compound.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of bile acid dimers linked with 1,2,3-triazole and bis-beta-lactam

We report herein the synthesis and biological evaluation of bile acid dimers linked through 1,2,3-triazole and bis-beta-lactam. The dimers were synthesized using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of diazido bis-beta-lactams , and terminal alkynes derived from cholic acid/deoxycholic acid in the presence of Cu(i) catalyst (click chemistry). These novel molecules were evaluated in vitro for their antifungal and antibacterial activity. Most of the compounds exhibited significant antifungal as well as antibacterial activity against all the tested fungal and bacterial strains. Moreover, their in vitro cytotoxicities towards HEK-293 and MCF-7 cells were also established.     

Ultraviolet-C light for treatment of Candida albicans burn infection in mice

Burn patients are at high risk of invasive fungal infections, which are a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and related expense exacerbated by the emergence of drug resistant fungal strains. In this study, we investigated the use of UVC light (254 nm) for the treatment of yeast Candida albicans infection in mouse third degree burns. In vitro studies demonstrated that UVC could selectively kill the pathogenic C. albicans compared with a normal mouse keratinocyte cell line in a light exposure dependent manner. A mouse model of chronic C. albicans infection in non-lethal third degree burns was developed. The C. albicans strain was stably transformed with a version of the Gaussia princeps luciferase gene that allowed real-time bioluminescence imaging of the progression of C. albicans infection. UVC treatment with a single exposure carried out on day 0 (30 min postinfection) gave an average 2.16-log(10)-unit (99.2%) loss of fungal luminescence when 2.92 J cm(-2) UVC had been delivered, while UVC 24 h postinfection gave 1.94-log(10)-unit (95.8%) reduction of fungal luminescence after 6.48 J cm(-2). Statistical analysis demonstrated that UVC treatment carried out on both day 0 and day 1 significantly reduced the fungal bioburden of infected burns. UVC was found to be superior to a topical antifungal drug, nystatin cream. UVC was tested on normal mouse skin and no gross damage was observed 24 h after 6.48 J cm(-2). DNA lesions (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers) were observed by immunofluorescence in normal mouse skin immediately after a 6.48 J cm(-2) UVC exposure, but the lesions were extensively repaired at 24 h after UVC exposure.     

Study of germ tube formation by Candida albicans after photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT)

Due to the augmented number of immunocompromised patients, the infections associated to the pathogen of the genus Candida have increased dramatically in the recent years. In order to proliferate, Candida albicans can produce a germ tube formation extending from the cells. The germ tube formation is a transition state from budding to hyphal cells, and represents an essential stage for virulence. In this work we studied the effect of the photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT), a potential antimicrobial treatment on the germ tube formation by C. albicans. Germ tube formation was induced by goat serum after different treatments with Methylene blue (MB) and Laser (683nm). Our results demonstrated that photodynamic therapy using MB, as a photosensitizing drug; inhibits both the growth and the germ tube formation by C. albicans. Thus, our results suggest the possibility that Methylene blue, combined with light in a specific wavelength, can be used as a promising novel antifungal agent.     

Antibacterial and antifungal ferrocene incorporated dithiothione and dithioketone compounds

Two antibacterial and antifungal ferrocene incorporated compounds have been synthesized, characterized and screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Bacillus cereus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bacterial strains and for in vitro antifungal activity against Trichophyton longifusus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Microsporum canis, Fusarium solani and Candida glaberata. Results show that these compounds have significant activity against tested bacterial and fungal strains and thus introduce a novel class of ferrocene incorporating antibacterial and antifungal compounds. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Candida albicans pathogenicity: a proteomic perspective.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus which causes both superficial infections and life-threatening systemic candidiasis in immunocompromised hosts such as AIDS patients, people with cancer, or other immunosuppressed individuals. Virulence factors for this fungus include the ability to adhere to host tissues, production of tissue damaging secreted enzymes, and changes in morphological form that may enhance tissue penetration and avoidance of immune surveillance. Treatment of candidiasis patients is hampered by a limited choice of antifungal agents and the appearance of clinical isolates resistant to azole drugs. Proteome analysis involves the separation and isolation of proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and their identification and characterization by mass spectrometry. The systematic application of this methodology to C. albicans is in its infancy, but is progressing rapidly. Comparing protein profiles between avirulent and virulent C. albicans strains, between drug-sensitive and -resistant strains, or between different morphological forms, could identify key control and effector proteins. There are difficulties, however, associated with the display of low abundance and cell envelope-associated proteins and the choice of conditions for obtaining suitable C. albicans cells. This article describes the potential of applying proteome analysis to C. albicans in order to better understand pathogenicity and identify new antifungal targets.     

Localizing Antifungal Drugs to the Correct Organelle Can Markedly Enhance their Efficacy

A critical aspect of drug design is optimal target inhibition by specifically delivering the drug molecule not only to the target tissue or cell but also to its therapeutically active site within the cell. This study demonstrates, as a proof of principle, that drug efficacy can be increased considerably by a structural modification that targets it to the relevant organelle. Specifically, by varying the fluorescent dye segment an antifungal azole was directed from the fungal cell mitochondria to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the organelle that harbors the drug target. The ER‐localized azole displayed up to two orders of magnitude improved antifungal activity and also dramatically reduced the growth of drug‐tolerant fungal subpopulations in a panel of Candida species, which are the most prevalent causes of serious human fungal infections. The principle underlying the “target organelle localization” approach provides a new paradigm to improve drug potency and replenish the limited pipeline of antifungal drugs.