Exploring Innovative Leishmaniasis Treatment: Drug Targets from Pre-Clinical to Clinical Findings

Leishmaniasis is a group of tropical diseases caused by parasitic protozoa belonging to the genus Leishmania. The disease is categorized in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The conventional treatment is complex and can present high toxicity and therapeutic failures. Thus, there is a continuing need to develop new treatments. In this review, we focus on the novel molecules described in the literature with potential leishmanicidal activity, categorizing them in pre-clinical (in vitro, in vivo), drug repurposing and clinical research.     

Bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria and their potential in the preservation of fruit products

Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are well-recognized for their potential as natural food preservatives. These antimicrobial peptides usually do not change the sensorial properties of food products and can be used in combination with traditional preservation methods to ensure microbial stability. In recent years, fruit products are increasingly being associated with food-borne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, and bacteriocins are important candidates to preserve these products. Bacteriocins have been extensively studied to preserve foods of animal origin. However, little information is available for their use in vegetable products, especially in minimally processed ready-to-eat fruits. Although, many bacteriocins possess useful characteristics that can be used to preserve fruit products, to date, only nisin, enterocin AS-48, bovicin HC5, enterocin 416K1, pediocin and bificin C6165 have been tested for their activity against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms in these products. Among these, only nisin and pediocin are approved to be commercially used as food additives, and their use in fruit products is still limited to certain countries. Considering the increasing demand for fresh-tasting fruit products and concern for public safety, the study of other bacteriocins with biochemical characteristics that make them candidates for the preservation of these products are of great interest. Efforts for their approval as food additives are also important. In this review, we discuss why the study of bacteriocins as an alternative method to preserve fruit products is important; we detail the biotechnological approaches for the use of bacteriocins in fruit products; and describe some bacteriocins that have been tested and have potential to be tested for the preservation of fruit products.     

The toxic influence of silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles on cultured ovarian granulosa cells

The application of metal nanoparticles in modern society is growing, but there is insufficient data concerning their influence on reproductive processes and comparison of their biological activity. The present experiments aimed to compare the effects of silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (AgNPs and TiO2NPs) on ovarian granulosa cell functions. AgNPs and TiO2NPs were added to culture of porcine granulosa cells at doses 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 or 10 μg/mL. The mRNAs for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin B1, bax and caspase 3 were quantified by RT-PCR; release of progesterone was analyzed by ELISA. It was shown that both AgNPs and TiO2NPs significantly reduced all the measured parameters. ED₅₀ of the inhibitory influence of AgNPs on the main ovarian cell parameters was higher than ED₅₀ of TiO2NPs. The ability of AgNPs and TiO2NPs to suppress ovarian granulosa cell functions should be taken into account by their application.     

Volatile Nitrogenous Compounds from Bacteria: Source of Novel Bioactive Compounds

Bacteria can produce nitrogenous compounds via both primary and secondary metabolic processes. Many bacterial volatile nitrogenous compounds produced during the secondary metabolism have been identified and reported for their antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, algicidal and antitumor activities. The production of these nitrogenous compounds depends on several factors, including the composition of culture media, growth conditions, and even the organic solvent used for their extraction, thus requiring their identification in specific conditions. In this review, we describe the volatile nitrogenous compounds produced by bacteria especially focusing on their antimicrobial activity. We concentrate on azo-compounds mainly pyrazines and pyrrolo-pyridines reported for their activity against several microorganisms. Whenever significant, extraction and identification methods of these compounds are also mentioned and discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is first review describing volatile nitrogenous compounds from bacteria focusing on their biological activity.     

Prostate cancer-specific hallmarks of amino acids metabolism: Towards a paradigm of precision medicine

So far multiple differences in prostate cancer-specific amino acids metabolism have been discovered. Moreover, attempts to utilize these alterations for prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment have been made. The prostate cancer metabolism and biosynthesis of amino acids are particularly focused on anaplerosis more than on energy production. Other crucial requirements on amino acids pool come from the serine, one?carbon cycle, glycine synthesis pathway and folate metabolism forming major sources of interproducts for synthesis of nucleobases necessary for rapidly proliferating cells. Considering the lack of some amino acids biosynthetic pathways and/or their extraordinary importance for prostate cancer cells, there is a widespread potential for targeted therapeutic applications with no effect on non-malignant cells. This review summarizes the up-to-date knowledge of the importance of amino acids for prostate cancer pathogenesis with a special emphasis on potential applications of metabolic variabilities in the new oncologic paradigm of precision medicine.