The in vitro anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activities of beta-sitosterol from Senecio lyratus (Asteraceae)

From a methanol extract of dried-ground aerial parts of Senecio lyratus, an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial active compound was isolated and identified as beta-sitosterol by spectroscopic analysis.     

Broad spectrum anti-infective properties of benzisothiazolones and the parallels in their anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects

Various mono- and bis-benzisothiazolone derivatives were synthesized and screened against different strains of bacteria and fungi in order to understand the effect of multiple electrophilic sulfur atoms and substitution pattern in the immediate vicinity of reactive sulfur. Staphyllococcus aureus-ATCC 7000699, MRSA and S. aureus-ATCC 29213 (Quality Control strain) were more susceptible to this class of compounds, and the most potent derivative 1.15 had MIC₅₀ of 0.4 μg/mL (cf. Gentamicin = 0.78 μg/mL). CLogP value, optimally in the range of 2.5–3.5, appeared to contribute more to the activity than the steric and electronic effects of groups attached at nitrogen. By and large, their anti-fungal activities also followed a similar trend with respect to the structure and CLogP values. The best potency of IC₅₀ = 0.1 μg/mL was shown by N-benzyl derivative (1.7) against Aspergillus fumigatus; it was also potent against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Sporothrix schenckii, and Candida parapsilosis with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.4 to 1.3 μg/mL. Preliminary studies also showed that this class of compounds have the ability to target malaria parasite with IC₅₀ values in low micromolar range, and improvement of selectivity is possible through structure optimization.     

蝉拟青霉代谢产物清除DPPH自由基和抗真菌活性的研究

用二苯代苦味肼基自由基(DPPH)-TLC法和酶标仪法对一株蝉拟青霉P3菌丝体和发酵液甲醇提取物的清除自由基活性进行了定性和定量测定,发现两种提取物具有较强的清除自由基活性,在浓度为5.0mg/mL,于37℃下保温10min时,两种样品对0.4mg/mL的DPPH自由基的清除率分别可达55.52%和74.86%.以一种黑曲霉菌为指示菌,采用薄层色谱法对蝉拟青霉菌丝体和发酵液甲醇提取物进行抑菌活性试验,实验中根据抑菌圈大小判定代谢物抑菌活性的大小.同时,以致病菌白色假丝酵母菌为指示菌,采用牛津杯法对提取物进行进一步抑菌活性验证,结果表明,菌丝体和发酵液提取物样品浓度为5.0mg/mL时,其抑菌圈直径分别可达11.23mm和21.42mm.     

蝉拟青霉代谢产物清除DPPH自由基和抗真菌活性的研究

DPPH-TLC and DPPH-Microplate assays were used to determine the free radical scavenging activities of methanol extracts from the fermentation broth and the mycelia of Paecilomyces cicadae P3. The results revealed that the extracts had strong free radical scavenging activities. At the concentration of 5.0mg/mL the methanol extract from fermentation broth of P3 could decrease 74.86% of 0.4mg/mL DPPH radicals after incubating at 37℃ for 10 minutes. An anti-fungal TLC assay was applied to test antimicrobial metabolites of Paecilomyces cicadae P3. Meanwhile, an anti-Candida albicans Oxford Cup assay was made to confirm their anti-fungal activities. At the concentration of 5.0mg/mL the methanol extracts from fermentation broth and mycelia of P3 had significant anti-Candida albicans activities and the diameters of inhibition zone were 21.42mm and 11.23mm respectively.     

First report of an anti-tumor, anti-fungal, anti-yeast and anti-bacterial hemolysin from Albizia lebbeck seeds

A monomeric 5.5-kDa protein with hemolytic activity toward rabbit erythrocytes was isolated from seeds of Albizia lebbeck by using a protocol that involved ion-exchange chromatography on Q-Sepharose and SP-Sepharose, hydrophobic interaction chromatography on Phenyl-Sepharose, and gel filtration on Superdex 75. It was unadsorbed on both Q-Sepharose and SP-Sepharose, but adsorbed on Phenyl-Sepharose. Its hemolytic activity was fully preserved in the pH range 0-14 and in the temperature range 0-100 °C, and unaffected in the presence of a variety of metal ions and carbohydrates. The hemolysin reduced viability of murine splenocytes and inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells and HepG2 hepatoma cells with an IC₅₀ of 0.21, 0.97, and 1.37 μM, respectively. It impeded mycelial growth in the fungi Rhizoctonia solani with an IC₅₀ of 39 μM but there was no effect on a variety of other filamentous fungi, including Fusarium oxysporum, Helminthosporium maydis, Valsa mali and Mycosphaerella arachidicola. Lebbeckalysin inhibited growth of Escherichia coli with an IC₅₀ of 0.52 μM.     

Binaphthyl scaffolded peptoids via ring-closing metathesis reactions and their anti-bacterial activities

An efficient synthesis of four new acyclic and four new cyclic binaphthyl-based cationic peptoids is described. These compounds had anti-bacterial activities with MIC values of 4–62 μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus.     

Triterpenoidal alkaloids from Buxus hyrcana and their enzyme inhibitory,anti-fungal and anti-leishmanial activities

From the aerial parts of Buxus hyrcana, three triterpenoidal alkaloids, 17-oxo-3-benzoylbuxadine (1), buxhyrcamine (2), and 31-demethylcyclobuxoviridine (3), along with 16 known compounds, cyclobuxoviridine (4), N_b-dimethylcyclobuxoviricine (5), E-buxenone (6), Z-buxenone (7), moenjodaramine (8), homomoenjodarmine (9), buxamine A (10), buxamine B (11), 31-hydroxybuxamine B (12), N₂₀-formylbuxaminol E (13), papillozine C (14), buxmicrophylline F (15), buxrugulosamine (16), cyclobuxophylline O (17), spirofornabuxine (18) and arbora-1,9(11)-dien-3-one (19) were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by using NMR spectroscopic methods. All of the compounds exhibited moderate to weak acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferase inhibitory activities. Compounds 1–19 also exhibited modest anti-fungal activities against Candida albicans. Compounds 1, 2, 8, 9 and 18 also exhibited weak anti-leishmanial activity.     

Synthesis,anti-bacterial and anti-protozoal activities of amidinobenzimidazole derivatives and their interactions with DNA and RNA

Amidinobenzimidazole derivatives connected to 1-aryl-substituted 1,2,3-triazole through phenoxymethylene linkers 7a–7e, 8a–8e, and 9a–9e were designed and synthesised with the aim of evaluating their anti-bacterial and anti-trypanosomal activities and DNA/RNA binding affinity. Results from anti-bacterial evaluations of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria revealed that both o-chlorophenyl-1,2,3-triazole and N-isopropylamidine moieties in 8c led to strong inhibitory activity against resistant Gram-positive bacteria, particularly the MRSA strain. Furthermore, the non-substituted amidine and phenyl ring in 7a induced a marked anti-bacterial effect, with potency against ESBL-producing Gram-negative E. coli better than those of the antibiotics ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin. UV–Vis and CD spectroscopy, as well as thermal denaturation assays, indicated that compounds 7a and 8c showed also binding affinities towards ctDNA. Anti-trypanosomal evaluations showed that the p-methoxyphenyl-1,2,3-triazole moiety in 7b and 9b enhanced inhibitory activity against T. brucei, with 8b being more potent than nifurtimox, and having minimal toxicity towards mammalian cells.     

Reproductive ecology of Aloe plicatilis,a fynbos tree aloe endemic to the Cape Winelands,South Africa

While the pollination ecology of many Aloe species is well-documented, knowledge on aloe seed ecology, and hence aloe reproductive ecology in its entirety is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the reproductive ecology of Aloe plicatilis, a Cape fynbos tree aloe endemic to the Cape Winelands, South Africa. Results from a pollinator exclusion experiment conducted at an A. plicatilis population on Paarl mountain suggests pollination primarily by insects, although bird visitation significantly increased seed set/fruit indicating possible co-pollination with insects. The species' long-tubed flowers and production of concentrated nectar, with observations of malachite sunbirds as the most common avian visitors to A. plicatilis flowers indicate the importance of long-billed specialist avian nectarivores as floral visitors. Analysis of the relationship between plant size and inflorescence production for five populations combined revealed a significant, positive linear relationship between plant size and the logarithm of the number of inflorescences/plant. Natural fruit and seed set determined for three populations (1325, 27,930 and 251,616 seeds/population) suggests low reproductive output compared to several other Aloe species. The smallest (31 individuals) and least dense (75 plants/ha) A. plicatilis population produced the lowest seed set/plant (128 seeds) and per population (1325 seeds), suggesting an Allee effect. Evaluation of seed dispersal potential showed that potential dispersal distances were approximately three times the canopy height; however, the occurrence of A. plicatilis on mountains isolated from more continuous mountain ranges on which the species also occurs suggests the possibility of long-distance dispersal by strong, gusty, summer winds. Soil seed bank samples collected from 13 populations yielded close to zero seedling emergence, indicating the absence of persistent seed banks. A. plicatilis seeds stored under ambient laboratory conditions for 3, 18 and 24 months were germinated in an environmental control chamber and a laboratory. High percentage germination was recorded for 18- and 24-month-seed (86 and 80%, respectively), while germination of 3-month-old seeds was three times lower, suggesting the need for after-ripening. Germination of fresh and one-year-old seed under ambient nursery conditions at the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden in Worcester yielded emergence percentages of 67 and 44%, respectively, and were therefore less successful than germination under more controlled conditions. This is the first known study to investigate the reproductive ecology of a tree aloe species and that of a Cape fynbos aloe. The study highlights the importance of further studies on aloe seed ecology, particularly for rare and threatened species.     

Genetic analysis of anti-amoebae and anti-bacterial activities of the type VI secretion system in Vibrio cholerae

A type VI secretion system (T6SS) was recently shown to be required for full virulence of Vibrio cholerae O37 serogroup strain V52. In this study, we systematically mutagenized each individual gene in T6SS locus and characterized their functions based on expression and secretion of the hemolysin co-regulated protein (Hcp), virulence towards amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum and killing of Escherichia coli bacterial cells. We group the 17 proteins characterized in the T6SS locus into four categories: twelve (VipA, VipB, VCA0109-VCA0115, ClpV, VCA0119, and VasK) are essential for Hcp secretion and bacterial virulence, and thus likely function as structural components of the apparatus; two (VasH and VCA0122) are regulators that are required for T6SS gene expression and virulence; another two, VCA0121 and valine-glycine repeat protein G 3 (VgrG-3), are not essential for Hcp expression, secretion or bacterial virulence, and their functions are unknown; the last group is represented by VCA0118, which is not required for Hcp expression or secretion but still plays a role in both amoebae and bacterial killing and may therefore be an effector protein. We also showed that the clpV gene product is required for Dictyostelium virulence but is less important for killing E. coli. In addition, one vgrG gene (vgrG-2) outside of the T6SS gene cluster was required for bacterial killing but another (vgrG-1) was not. However, a bacterial killing defect was observed when vgrG-1 and vgrG-3 were both deleted. Several genes encoded in the same putative operon as vgrG-1 and vgrG-2 also contribute to virulence toward Dictyostelium but have a smaller effect on bacterial killing. Our results provide new insights into the functional requirements of V. cholerae's T6SS in the context of secretion as well as killing of bacterial and eukaryotic phagocytic cells.     

Studies on anticancer activities of antimicrobial peptides

In spite of great advances in cancer therapy, there is considerable current interest in developing anticancer agents with a new mode of action because of the development of resistance by cancer cells towards current anticancer drugs. A growing number of studies have shown that some of the cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are toxic to bacteria but not to normal mammalian cells, exhibit a broad spectrum of cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. Such studies have considerably enhanced the significance of AMPs, both synthetic and from natural sources, which have been of importance both for an increased understanding of the immune system and for their potential as clinical antibiotics. The electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged components of bacterial and cancer cells and the positively charged AMPs is believed to play a major role in the strong binding and selective disruption of bacterial and cancer cell membranes, respectively. However, it is unclear why some host defense peptides are able to kill cancer cells when others do not. In addition, it is not clear whether the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the antibacterial and anticancer activities of AMPs are the same or different. In this article, we review various studies on different AMPs that exhibit cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. The suitability of cancer cell-targeting AMPs as cancer therapeutics is also discussed.     

Studies on anticancer activities of antimicrobial peptides

In spite of great advances in cancer therapy, there is considerable current interest in developing anticancer agents with a new mode of action because of the development of resistance by cancer cells towards current anticancer drugs. A growing number of studies have shown that some of the cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are toxic to bacteria but not to normal mammalian cells, exhibit a broad spectrum of cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. Such studies have considerably enhanced the significance of AMPs, both synthetic and from natural sources, which have been of importance both for an increased understanding of the immune system and for their potential as clinical antibiotics. The electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged components of bacterial and cancer cells and the positively charged AMPs is believed to play a major role in the strong binding and selective disruption of bacterial and cancer cell membranes, respectively. However, it is unclear why some host defense peptides are able to kill cancer cells when others do not. In addition, it is not clear whether the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the antibacterial and anticancer activities of AMPs are the same or different. In this article, we review various studies on different AMPs that exhibit cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. The suitability of cancer cell-targeting AMPs as cancer therapeutics is also discussed.     

抗真菌转基因水稻生态适合度评价

在田间自然条件下,通过两年两季单独种植(非竞争)和混合种植(竞争)试验,分析比较抗真菌转基因水稻E121-2-1和E122-2-9与其非转基因受体亲本E32和常规稻粤香占在农艺性状、繁殖能力、花粉活力、种子活力、种子库持久力和自生性等适合度成分上的差异,评价抗真菌转基因水稻的生态适合度。结果表明,在竞争情形下,E121-2-1和E122-2-9的株高、千粒重和每穗总粒数在两年均显著降低或在其中一年显著降低,E121-2-1和E122-2-9农艺性状的竞争能力总体上低于E32和粤香占。E121-2-1和E122-2-9的净替代率在竞争态势下两年均呈下降趋势,其中E121-2-1在其中一年下降显著,而E32和粤香占的净替代率随不同年份升高或下降,但变化不显著。E121-2-1和E122-2-9的花粉萌发率、种子发芽势两年均显著低于E32和粤香占,种子发芽率和田间自生苗率在其中一年显著低于E32和粤香占,种子库持久力与E32和粤香占相比两年均无显著差异。只有E121-2-1和E122-2-9种子的休眠期两年均显著高于对照E32和粤香占。结果说明转四价抗真菌基因水稻E121-2-1和E122-2-9的生态适合度优势不强,其种群在自然界中的生存竞争和延续能力不会超越非转基因水稻。     

Studies on the growth and phosphatase activities inSuaeda fructicosa

Summary Plants ofSuaeda fructicosa were grown in sand culture with various combinations of excess copper, silicon and sodium. Effects of different concentrations of NaCl on the activities of acid phosphatase and PEP-phosphatase were investigated in the above mentioned plants. Plants which were given extra copper without NaCl showed very poor growth compared with control plants given a normal nutrient whereas plants given extra NaCl alone or with copper displayed luxuriant growth. Enzymes extracted from the plants given extra copper with normal nutrient levels showed stimulation in the activities of both the above mentioned enzymes. In plants supplied with extra sodium chloride the activity of acid phosphatase was inhibited and in that of PEP-phosphatase was stimulated. Sodium silicate in the growth medium eliminated both effects of extra sodium chloride.