THE PHOTOACTIVE ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF EUDISTOMINS FROM THE CARIBBEAN TUNICATE Eudistoma olivaceum

Abstract— Five eudistomins, β-carboline derivatives isolated from a Caribbean tunicate, were tested for phototoxicity against several viruses, bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells. The five compounds showed varying degrees of UVA dependant phototoxicity (i.e. long wavelength UV dependant) against murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), Sindbis virus (SV) and mouse 3T3 cells, although the relative order of potency was the same for these three organisms. Eudistomin N was the most active (approximately the same as the β-carboline, harmine), while eudistomins M and O were moderately phototoxic, and H and I had little activity. To some degree the relative phototoxicity was correlated with fewer side chain substituents. A similar relative order of phototoxic potency was seen against phage T4, but in this case the magnitude of the effect was considerably reduced, in contrast to harmine. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were not correlated with antiviral effects, and some UVA-independent activities were seen. Thus the eudistomins may possess different mechanisms of action against different organisms, depending upon the presence or absence of UVA.     

Studies on Antifungal Agents. Part 22. 3-aryl-5-[(aryloxy)alkyl]-3-[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-2-methylisoxazolidines and related derivatives

The synthesis and antifungal activity of a novel series of 3-aryl-5-[(aryloxy)alkyl]-3-[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-methyl]-2-methylisoxazolidines and related compounds, are discussed. The synthesis of the title compounds was accomplished via a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of α-substituted ketonitrones with l-alkenyl phenyl ethers (Scheme 2 and 3). The compounds were evaluated for in vitro antifungal activity in solid agar cultures against a broad variety of yeast and systemic mycoses and dermatophytes. While antifungal activity was evident throughout the series, in general, derivatives having halogen atom(s) in either or both aryl rings demonstrated the highest potency, especially against Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans. The dichloro analog 20 (PR 967-248) was found to possess the most useful activity. Its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranged between 0.2 and 2.0 μg/ml, as compared to 0.2–20.0 μg/ml for the standard drug ketoconazole (4).     

The Inhibition of Non-albicans Candida Species and Uncommon Yeast Pathogens by Selected Essential Oils and Their Major Compounds

The epidemiology of yeast infections and resistance to available antifungal drugs are rapidly increasing, and non-albicans Candida species and rare yeast species are increasingly emerging as major opportunistic pathogens. In order to identify new strategies to counter the threat of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms, essential oils (EOs) have become an important potential in the treatment of fungal infections. EOs and their bioactive pure compounds have been found to exhibit a wide range of remarkable biological activities. We investigated the in vitro antifungal activity of nine commercial EOs such as Thymus vulgaris (thyme red), Origanum vulgare (oregano), Lavandula vera (lavender), Pinus sylvestris (pine), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), Salvia officinalis (sage), Eugenia caryophyllata (clove) and Pelargonium asperum (geranium), and some of their main components (α-pinene, carvacrol, citronellal, eugenol, γ-terpinene, linalool, linalylacetate, terpinen-4-ol, thymol) against non-albicans Candida strains and uncommon yeasts. The EOs were analyzed by GC-MS, and their antifungal properties were evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration parameters, in accordance with CLSI guidelines, with some modifications for EOs. Pine exhibited strong antifungal activity against the selected non-albicans Candida isolates and uncommon yeasts. In addition, lemon balm EOs and α-pinene exhibited strong antifungal activity against the selected non-albicans Candida yeasts. Thymol inhibited the growth of all uncommon yeasts. These data showed a promising potential application of EOs as natural adjuvant for management of infections by emerging non-albicans Candida species and uncommon pathogenic yeasts.     

Studies on Antifungal Agents. Part 25. 1-[(3,5-Bisaryl-2-methylisoxazolidin-3-yl)methyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazoles

The synthesis and antifungal activity of a novel series of 1-[(3,5-bisaryl-2-methylisoxazolidin-3-yl)methyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazoles 6 and 7 (i.e. 8 – 19 ) are discussed. The preparation of 8 – 19 was straightforward and highlighted by a regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of α-substituted (E)-ketonitrones 4 with appropriate atyrene derivatives 5 that led to a cis/trans-diastereoisomeric mixture of the corresponding triazoles (Scheme). The title compounds were evaluated for in vitro antifungal activity in solid agar cultures against a broad array of yeast and systemic mycoses and dermatophytes. The in vivo activity was determined in an immune-compromised mouse model of systemic candidiasis. While the in vitro activity was evident throughout the series, it was moderate in potency. However, some of the triazole derivatives demonstrated a potent in vivo activity comparable to that of the standard drug ketoconazole. Analogue 12 (PR 988-399) emerged as the best overall compound demonstrating potent antifungal activity in both in vitro and in vivo assays.     

Structure-guided development of efficacious antifungal agents targeting Candida glabrata dihydrofolate reductase

Candida glabrata is a lethal fungal pathogen resistant to many antifungal agents and has emerged as a critical target for drug discovery. Over the past several years, we have been developing a class of propargyl-linked antifolates as antimicrobials and hypothesized that these compounds could be effective inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from C. glabrata. We initially screened a small collection of these inhibitors and found modest levels of potency. Subsequently, we determined the crystal structure of C. glabrata DHFR bound to a representative inhibitor with data to 1.6 A resolution. Using this structure, we designed and synthesized second-generation inhibitors. These inhibitors bind the C. glabrata DHFR enzyme with subnanomolar potency, display greater than 2000-fold levels of selectivity over the human enzyme, and inhibit the growth of C. glabrata at levels observed with clinically employed therapeutics.     

Host defense peptides and lipopeptides: modes of action and potential candidates for the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections

Endogenous peptide antibiotics (termed also host-defense or antimicrobial peptides) are known as evolutionarily old components of innate immunity. They were found initially in invertebrates, but later on also in vertebrates, including humans. This secondary, chemical immune system provides organisms with a repertoire of small peptides that act against invasion (for both offensive and defensive purposes) by occasional and obligate pathogens. Each antimicrobial peptide has a broad but not identical spectrum of antimicrobial activity, predominantly against bacteria, providing the host maximum coverage against a rather broad spectrum of microbial organisms. Many of these peptides interact with the target cell membranes and increase their permeability, which results in cell lysis. A second important family includes lipopeptides. They are produced in bacteria and fungi during cultivation on various carbon sources, and possess a strong antifungal activity. Unfortunately, native lipopeptides are non-cell selective and therefore extremely toxic to mammalian cells. Whereas extensive studies have emerged on the requirements for a peptide to be antibacterial, very little is known concerning the parameters that contribute to antifungal activity. This review summarizes recent studies aimed to understand how antimicrobial peptides and lipopeptides select their target cell. This includes a new group of lipopeptides highly potent against pathogenic fungi and yeast. They are composed of inert cationic peptides conjugated to aliphatic acids with different lengths. Deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the differential cells specificity of these families of host defense molecule is required to meet the challenges imposed by the life-threatening infections.     

3-Aryl-5-[(aryloxy)methyl]-3-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-2-methylisoxazolidine derivatives. Synthesis and antifungal activity

The synthesis and antifungal activity of a novel series of 3-aryl-5-[(aryloxy)methyl]-3-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-methyl]-2-methylisoxazolidines are described. The in vitro activity was evaluated in solid agar cultures against a variety of dermatophytes and yeast fungi, while in vivo activity was measured in an immune-compromised mouse model of systemic candidiasis. The activity of the title series was compared to that of ketoconazole and one derivative, the cis-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-chlorophenyloxy)methyl analogue 5f was found to possess a similar potency in the in vivo assay. Structure-activity relationship correlations are also discussed.     

Organometallic compounds with biologically active molecules: in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity of some 1,1′‐(dicarbohydrazono) ferrocenes and their cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes

Some 1,1′‐(dicarbohydrazono) ferrocenes have been prepared by condensing 1,1′‐diacetylferrocene with either 2‐furoic hydrazide, 2‐thiophenecarboxylic hydrazide or 2‐salicylic hydrazide. All the ligands synthesized were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis data (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen) and then were used as ligands to react with cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) metals as chlorides to afford metal complexes having the general formula M(L)Cl₂. IR and electronic spectral data, magnetic moment and elemental analyses were used in the structural investigation of the metal complexes synthesized. The ligands synthesized and their metal(II) complexes have been 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 glabrata. The results of these studies show the metal complexes to be more antibacterial and antifungal than the uncomplexed ligands. However, the potency of all the ligands synthesized and their metal complexes was lower than that of the standard drugs. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and in vitro biological properties of novel cationic derivatives of amphotericin B

Novel cationic amphotericin B derivatives as highly potent antifungal agents are reported. These semi-synthetic derivatives of amphotericin B were elaborated through a series of modifications both on the nitrogen atom of the mycosamine and on the C-16 carboxylic acid moiety. The antifungal activity of the new conjugates was tested against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and also against nine different strains of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, including an amphotericin resistant strain. High potency was observed in the case of polyamine derivatives bearing two 3-aminopropyl chains on the mycosamine. The evaluation of the biological properties also included the determination of the hemolytic activity of the compounds by measuring the EH50 values.     

Antifungal Activity of Salicylanilides and Their Esters with 4-(Trifluoromethyl)benzoic Acid

Searching for novel antimicrobial agents still represents a current topic in medicinal chemistry. In this study, the synthesis and analytical data of eighteen salicylanilide esters with 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid are presented. They were assayed in vitro as potential antimycotic agents against eight fungal strains, along with their parent salicylanilides. The antifungal activity of the presented derivatives was not uniform and moulds showed a higher susceptibility with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) 3 0.49 μmol/L than yeasts (MIC 3 1.95 μmol/L). However, it was not possible to evaluate a range of 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoates due to their low solubility. In general, the most active salicylanilide was N-(4-bromophenyl)-4-chloro-2-hydroxybenzamide and among esters, the corresponding 2-(4-bromophenylcarbamoyl)-5-chlorophenyl 4-(trifluoromethyl) benzoate exhibited the lowest MIC of 0.49 μmol/L. However, the esterification of salicylanilides by 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid did not result unequivocally in a higher antifungal potency.     

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.     

Synthesis and antifungal activity of novel 14-membered benzomacrolides, as galbonolide analogues

Asymmetric total synthesis of benzene analogues of galbonolide, a 14-membered antifungal macrolide, possessing a benzene ring instead of a conjugated diene structure, was achieved starting from chiral 1-aryl-1-propanol obtained by enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution with high enantioselectivity. Representatively, a method for the introduction of a methylthio and chloride function at the vinyl position was also established. The resulting analogues unfortunately exhibited very little antifungal potency in comparison with galbonolide A.     

Deciphering the Biological Activities of Antifungal Agents with Chemical Probes

The growing number of fungal infections caused by pathogens resistant to one or more classes of antifungal drugs emphasizes the threat that these microorganisms pose to animal and human health and global food security. Open questions remain regarding the mechanisms of action of the limited repertoire of antifungal agents, making it challenging to rationally develop more efficacious therapeutics. In recent years, the use of chemical biology approaches has resolved some of these questions and has provided new promising concepts to guide the design of antifungal agents. By focusing on examples from studies carried out in recent years, this minireview describes the key roles that probes based on antifungal agents and their derivatives have played in uncovering details about their activities, in detecting resistance, and in characterizing the interactions between these agents and their targets.     

Synthesis of some novel thiocyanotopurine derivatives and investigation of their antimicrobial activity and DNA interactions

A series of 6-thiocyanatopurine derivatives introduced with different alkyl groups in position 9 was synthesized. The structures of the synthesized compounds were evaluated via spectroscopic methods and elemental methods of analyses. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and for their antifungal activities against yeast strains. All the synthesized compounds showed better antibacterial activities against Gram-positive bacteria compared to Gram-negative bacteria. DNA interactions with pBR322 DNA were determined. Most of the compounds caused conformational changes in DNA.     

Control of Spoilage Fungi by Protective Lactic Acid Bacteria Displaying Probiotic Properties

Thirty-six lactic acid bacteria belong to Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Pediococcus were isolated, and the spectrum of antifungal activity was verified against Fusarium oxysporum (KACC 42109), Aspergillus niger (KACC 42589), Fusarium moniliforme (KACC 08141), Penicillium chrysogenum (NII 08137), and the yeast Candida albicans (MTCC 3017). Three isolates, identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus (TG2), Lactobacillus casei (DY2), and Lactococcus (BSN) were selected further, and their antifungal compounds were identified by ESI-MS and HPLC analysis as a range of carboxylic acids along with some unidentified, higher molecular weight compounds. An attempt to check out the shelf life extension of wheat bread without fungal spoilage was performed by fermenting the dough with the Lactococcus isolate. Apart from growth in low pH and tolerance to bile salts, probiotic potential of these three isolates was further substantiated by in vitro screening methods that include transit tolerance to the conditions in the upper human gastrointestinal tract and bacterial adhesion capacity to human intestinal cell lines.     

Heat shock,visible light or high calcium augment the cytotoxic effects of Ailanthus altissima (Swingle) leaf extracts against Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells

To gain new insight into the antimicrobial potential of Ailanthus altissima Swingle, ethanol leaf extracts were evaluated for the antifungal effects against the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae. The extracts inhibited the yeast growth in a dose-dependent manner, and this effect could be augmented by heat shock, exposure to visible light or exposure to high concentrations of Ca²⁺. Using transgenic yeast cells expressing the Ca²⁺-dependent photoprotein, aequorin, it was found that the leaf extracts induced cytosolic Ca²⁺ elevation. Experiments on yeast mutants with defects in Ca²⁺ transport demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of the A. altissima leaf extracts (AaLEs) was mediated by transient pulses of Ca²⁺ ions which were released into the cytosol predominantly from the vacuole. The investigation of the antifungal synergies involving AaLEs may contribute to the development of optimal and safe combination therapies for the treatment of drug-resistant fungal infections.     

Comparison of antimicrobial activities of naphthoquinones from Impatiens balsamina

Lawsone (1), lawsone methyl ether (2), and methylene-3,3'-bilawsone (3) are the main naphthoquinones in the leaf extracts of Impatiens balsamina L. (Balsaminaceae). Antimicrobial activities of these three naphthoquinones against dermatophyte fungi, yeast, aerobic bacteria and facultative anaerobic and anaerobic bacteria were evaluated by determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal or fungicidal concentrations (MBCs or MFCs) using a modified agar dilution method. Compound 2 showed the highest antimicrobial activity. It showed antifungal activity against dermatophyte fungi and Candida albicans with the MICs and MFCs in the ranges of 3.9-23.4 and 7.8-23.4?μg?mL(-1), respectively, and also had some antibacterial activity against aerobic, facultative anaerobic and anaerobic bacteria with MICs in the range of 23.4-93.8, 31.2-62.5 and 125?μg?mL(-1), respectively. Compound 1 showed only moderate antimicrobial activity against dermatophytes (MICs and MFCs in the ranges of 62.5-250 and 125-250?μg?mL(-1), respectively), but had low potency against aerobic bacteria, and was not active against C. albicans and facultative anaerobic bacteria. In contrast, 3 showed significant antimicrobial activity only against Staphylococus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis (MIC and MBC of 46.9 and 93.8?μg?mL(-1), respectively).     

Antifungal activity of mango peel and seed extracts against clinically pathogenic and food spoilage yeasts

The antioxidant and antifungal (antiyeast) properties of mango (Mangifera indica) peel and seed by-products were investigated. Nine extracts were obtained using three cultivars and two extraction methods. Significant differences between cultivars and extraction methods were detected in their bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The antifungal property was determined using agar diffusion and broth micro-dilution assays against 18 yeast species of the genera Candida, Dekkera, Hanseniaspora, Lodderomyces, Metschnikowia, Pichia, Schizosaccharomyces, Saccharomycodes and Zygosaccharomyces. All mango extracts showed antifungal activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were lower for seed than for peel extracts. MICs and MFCs ranged from values <0.1 to 5 and 5 to >30 mgGAE/mL, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed a relationship between antifungal activity, the capacity to inhibit lipid peroxidation and total phenol content. These properties were associated with high levels of proanthocyanidins, gallates and gallotannins in the extracts.     

Ti-catalyzed transannular cyclization of epoxygermacrolides. Synthesis of antifungal (+)-tuberiferine and (+)-dehydrobrachylaenolide

We present a divergent strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of both eudesmanolides (+)-tuberiferine and (+)-brachylaenolide starting from the accessible germacrolide (+)-costunolide. The key steps of these syntheses are the Ti-catalyzed transannular cyclization of a 1,4-epoxygermacrolide in the presence or absence of water, respectively. The catalytic cycle operating in the presence of water probably involves the reduction of a tertiary radical by H-atom transfer from aquacomplex Cp₂Ti^III(OH₂)Cl. The catalytic cycle under anhydrous conditions presumably occurs through mixed disproportionation between a tertiary radical and Cp₂Ti^IIICl. Synthetic (+)-tuberiferine and (+)-brachylaenolide displayed an antifungal potency against Phycomyces blakesleeanus comparable or even higher than amphotericin B, the gold standard for antifungal therapy.     

Synthesis,Docking, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Derivatives of α‐Aminoketones Appended to Sydnones as Potent Antitubercular and Antifungal Scaffolds

3‐Arylsydnones are reported to possess striking pharmaceutical potency. α‐Aminoketone, a biologically active structural unit, is built at the fourth (electrophilic) position of sydnone and further derivatized with secondary amine and tetrazoles. The α‐aminoketone derivatives of sydnones coupled with secondary amines 4a – n were docked on enoyl acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which revealed that compounds 4b , 4f , and 4i showed efficient C score values with different binding modes and hydrogen bonding. Further, these compounds were screened for antimycobacterial activity; among them, compound 4f displayed sensitivity at 6.25 μg/mL compared with the standard drug (Streptomycin) against M. tuberculosis (H₃₇R_V strain). In addition to this, α‐aminoketone derivatives of sydnones coupled with tetrazoles 8a – h were evaluated for antifungal activity. In the antifungal activity, compound 8b has exhibited potent activity at 6.25 μg/mL against Candida albicans and compound 8g at 0.4 μg/mL against Aspergillus fumigatus. The antifungal activities are comparatively better than standard antifungal agent Fluconazole at these drug concentrations. Alongside characterization of the final compounds by Fourier transform infrared, mass, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectral analyses, compounds 8b and 8g were confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic studies.