scholarly journals Functionalization of the Chalcone Scaffold for the Discovery of Novel Lead Compounds Targeting Fungal Infections

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Bonvicini ◽  
Giovanna Gentilomi ◽  
Francesca Bressan ◽  
Silvia Gobbi ◽  
Angela Rampa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Infection Process ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Yeast Growth ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Lead Compounds

The occurrence of invasive fungal infections represents a substantial threat to human health that is particularly serious in immunocompromised patients. The limited number of antifungal agents, devoid of unwanted toxic effects, has resulted in an increased demand for new drugs. Herein, the chalcone framework was functionalized to develop new antifungal agents able to interfere with cell growth and with the infection process. Thus, a small library of chalcone-based analogues was evaluated in vitro against C. albicans ATCC 10231 and a number of compounds strongly inhibited yeast growth at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Among these, 5 and 7 interfered with the expression of two key virulence factors in C. albicans pathogenesis, namely, hyphae and biofilm formation, while 28 emerged as a potent and broad spectrum antifungal agent, enabling the inhibition of the tested Candida spp. and non-Candida species. Indeed, these compounds combine two modes of action by selectively interfering with growth and, as an added value, weakening microbial virulence. Overall, these compounds could be regarded as promising antifungal candidates worthy of deeper investigation. They also provide a chemical platform through which to perform an optimization process, addressed at improving potency and correcting liabilities.

In vitro antifungal and fungicidal activities and erythrocyte toxicities of cyclic lipodepsinonapeptides produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae.

1996 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 2710-2713 ◽  
Author(s):  
K N Sorensen ◽  
K H Kim ◽  
J Y Takemoto
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Fungal Resistance ◽  
Broth Microdilution ◽  
Antifungal Activities ◽  
Syringomycin E ◽  
Lead Compounds

Recent increases in fungal infections, the few available antifungal drugs, and increasing fungal resistance to the available antifungal drugs have resulted in a broadening of the search for new antifungal agents. Strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae produce cyclic lipodepsinonapeptides with antifungal activity. The in vitro antifungal and fungicidal activities of three cyclic lipodepsinonapeptides (syringomycin E, syringotoxin B, and syringostatin A) against medically important isolates were evaluated by a standard broth microdilution susceptibility method. Erythrocyte toxicities were also evaluated. All three compounds showed broad antifungal activities and fungicidal actions against most of the fungi tested. Overall, the cyclic lipodepsinonapeptides were more effective against yeasts than against the filamentous fungi. Syringomycin E and syringostatin A had very similar antifungal activities (2.5 to > 40 micrograms/ml) and erythrocyte toxicities. Syringotoxin B was generally less active (0.8 to 200 micrograms/ml) than syringomycin E and syringostatin A against most fungi and was less toxic to erythrocytes. With opportunities for modification, these compounds are potential lead compounds for improved antifungal agents.

Diazepam’s antifungal activity in fluconazole-resistant Candida spp. and biofilm inhibition in C. albicans: evaluation of the relationship with the proteins ALS3 and SAP5

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisandra Juvêncio da Silva ◽  
Fátima Daiana Dias Barroso ◽  
Lucas Sousa Vieira ◽  
Daniel Roberto Carlos Mota ◽  
Bruna Kelly da Silva Firmino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Biofilm Inhibition ◽  
Agent Interaction ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Faster Development

The genus Candida spp. has been highlighted as one of the main etiological agents causing fungal infections, with Candida albicans being the most prominent, responsible for most cases of candidemia. Due to its capacity for invasion and tissue adhesion, it is associated with the formation of biofilms, mainly in the environment and hospital devices, decreasing the effectiveness of available treatments. The repositioning of drugs, which is characterized by the use of drugs already on the market for other purposes, together with molecular-docking methods can be used aiming at the faster development of new antifungals to combat micro-organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal effect of diazepam on mature C. albicans biofilms in vitro and its action on biofilm in formation, as well as its mechanism of action and interaction with structures related to the adhesion of C. albicans, ALS3 and SAP5. To determine the MIC, the broth microdilution test was used according to protocol M27-A3 (CLSI, 2008). In vitro biofilm formation tests were performed using 96-well plates, followed by molecular-docking protocols to analyse the binding agent interaction with ALS3 and SAP5 targets. The results indicate that diazepam has antimicrobial activity against planktonic cells of Candida spp. and C. albicans biofilms, interacting with important virulence factors related to biofilm formation (ALS3 and SAP5). In addition, treatment with diazepam triggered a series of events in C. albicans cells, such as loss of membrane integrity, mitochondrial depolarization and increased production of EROs, causing DNA damage and consequent cell apoptosis.

scholarly journals PC945, a Novel Inhaled Antifungal Agent, for the Treatment of Respiratory Fungal Infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 373
Author(s):  
Alison Murray ◽  
Lindsey Cass ◽  
Kazuhiro Ito ◽  
Nicole Pagani ◽  
Darius Armstrong-James ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Antifungal Agent ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Systemic Exposure ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Aspergillus Infection ◽  
Chronic Lung Diseases

Disease due to pulmonary Aspergillus infection remains a significant unmet need, particularly in immunocompromised patients, patients in critical care and those with underlying chronic lung diseases. To date, treatment using inhaled antifungal agents has been limited to repurposing available systemic medicines. PC945 is a novel triazole antifungal agent, a potent inhibitor of CYP51, purpose-designed to be administered via inhalation for high local lung concentrations and limited systemic exposure. In preclinical testing, PC945 is potent versus Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp. and showed two remarkable properties in preclinical studies, in vitro and in vivo. The antifungal effects against Aspergillus fumigatus accumulate on repeat dosing and improved efficacy has been demonstrated when PC945 is dosed in combination with systemic anti-fungal agents of multiple classes. Resistance to PC945 has been induced in Aspergillus fumigatus in vitro, resulting in a strain which remained susceptible to other antifungal triazoles. In healthy volunteers and asthmatics, nebulised PC945 was well tolerated, with limited systemic exposure and an apparently long lung residency time. In two lung transplant patients, PC945 treated an invasive pulmonary Aspergillus infection that had been unresponsive to multiple antifungal agents (systemic ± inhaled) without systemic side effects or detected drug–drug interactions.

Potential of Nanoparticles in Combating Candida Infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 478-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizan Abul Qais ◽  
Mohd Sajjad Ahmad Khan ◽  
Iqbal Ahmad ◽  
Abdullah Safar Althubiani
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Candida Infections ◽  
Made In

Aims: The aim of this review is to survey the recent progress made in developing the nanoparticles as antifungal agents especially the nano-based formulations being exploited for the management of Candida infections. Discussion: In the last few decades, there has been many-fold increase in fungal infections including candidiasis due to the increased number of immunocompromised patients worldwide. The efficacy of available antifungal drugs is limited due to its associated toxicity and drug resistance in clinical strains. The recent advancements in nanobiotechnology have opened a new hope for the development of novel formulations with enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improved drug delivery and low toxicity. Conclusion: Metal nanoparticles have shown to possess promising in vitro antifungal activities and could be effectively used for enhanced and targeted delivery of conventionally used drugs. The synergistic interaction between nanoparticles and various antifungal agents have also been reported with enhanced antifungal activity.

scholarly journals Eap1p, an Adhesin That Mediates Candida albicans Biofilm Formation In Vitro and In Vivo

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 931-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Li ◽  
Michael J. Svarovsky ◽  
Amy J. Karlsson ◽  
Joel P. Wagner ◽  
Karen Marchillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Gene Dosage ◽  
Venous Catheter ◽  
Flow Chamber ◽  
Dependent Manner

ABSTRACT Candida albicans is the leading cause of systemic fungal infections in immunocompromised humans. The ability to form biofilms on surfaces in the host or on implanted medical devices enhances C. albicans virulence, leading to antimicrobial resistance and providing a reservoir for infection. Biofilm formation is a complex multicellular process consisting of cell adhesion, cell growth, morphogenic switching between yeast form and filamentous states, and quorum sensing. Here we describe the role of the C. albicans EAP1 gene, which encodes a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored, glucan-cross-linked cell wall protein, in adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo. Deleting EAP1 reduced cell adhesion to polystyrene and epithelial cells in a gene dosage-dependent manner. Furthermore, EAP1 expression was required for C. albicans biofilm formation in an in vitro parallel plate flow chamber model and in an in vivo rat central venous catheter model. EAP1 expression was upregulated in biofilm-associated cells in vitro and in vivo. Our results illustrate an association between Eap1p-mediated adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo.

scholarly journals Symbiotic NCR Peptide Fragments Affect the Viability, Morphology and Biofilm Formation of Candida Species

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3666
Author(s):  
Bettina Szerencsés ◽  
Attila Gácser ◽  
Gabriella Endre ◽  
Ildikó Domonkos ◽  
Hilda Tiricz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Species ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Dilution Method ◽  
Model Legume ◽  
Anticandidal Activity

The increasing rate of fungal infections causes global problems not only in human healthcare but agriculture as well. To combat fungal pathogens limited numbers of antifungal agents are available therefore alternative drugs are needed. Antimicrobial peptides are potent candidates because of their broad activity spectrum and their diverse mode of actions. The model legume Medicago truncatula produces >700 nodule specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides in symbiosis and many of them have in vitro antimicrobial activities without considerable toxicity on human cells. In this work we demonstrate the anticandidal activity of the NCR335 and NCR169 peptide derivatives against five Candida species by using the micro-dilution method, measuring inhibition of biofilm formation with the XTT (2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide) assay, and assessing the morphological change of dimorphic Candida species by microscopy. We show that both the N- and C-terminal regions of NCR335 possess anticandidal activity as well as the C-terminal sequence of NCR169. The active peptides inhibit biofilm formation and the yeast-hypha transformation. Combined treatment of C. auris with peptides and fluconazole revealed synergistic interactions and reduced 2-8-fold the minimal inhibitory concentrations. Our results demonstrate that shortening NCR peptides can even enhance and broaden their anticandidal activity and therapeutic potential.

scholarly journals Biofilm Formation by Pneumocystis spp.

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie T. Cushion ◽  
Margaret S. Collins ◽  
Michael J. Linke
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Continuous Cultivation ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Intense Staining ◽  
In Vitro System ◽  
Major Surface

ABSTRACT Pneumocystis spp. can cause a lethal pneumonia in hosts with debilitated immune systems. The manner in which these fungal infections spread throughout the lung, the life cycles of the organisms, and their strategies used for survival within the mammalian host are largely unknown, due in part to the lack of a continuous cultivation method. Biofilm formation is one strategy used by microbes for protection against environmental assaults, for communication and differentiation, and as foci for dissemination. We posited that the attachment and growth of Pneumocystis within the lung alveoli is akin to biofilm formation. An in vitro system comprised of insert wells suspended in multiwell plates containing supplemented RPMI 1640 medium supported biofilm formation by P. carinii (from rat) and P. murina (from mouse).Dramatic morphological changes accompanied the transition to a biofilm. Cyst and trophic forms became highly refractile and produced branching formations that anastomosed into large macroscopic clusters that spread across the insert. Confocal microscopy revealed stacking of viable organisms enmeshed in concanavalin A-staining extracellular matrix. Biofilms matured over a 3-week time period and could be passaged. These passaged organisms were able to cause infection in immunosuppressed rodents. Biofilm formation was inhibited by farnesol, a quorum-sensing molecule in Candida spp., suggesting that a similar communication system may be operational in the Pneumocystis biofilms. Intense staining with a monoclonal antibody to the major surface glycoproteins and an increase in (1,3)-β-d-glucan content suggest that these components contributed to the refractile properties. Identification of this biofilm process provides a tractable in vitro system that should fundamentally advance the study of Pneumocystis.

In-vitro activity of voriconazole (UK-109,496), LY303366 and other antifungal agents against oral Candida spp. isolates from HIV-infected patients

1999 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 697-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Chávez ◽  
S. Bernal ◽  
A. Valverde ◽  
M. J. Gutierrez ◽  
G. Quindós ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Vitro Activity ◽  
In Vitro Activity ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Oral Candida

scholarly journals Acylhydrazones as Antifungal Agents Targeting the Synthesis of Fungal Sphingolipids

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Lazzarini ◽  
Krupanandan Haranahalli ◽  
Robert Rieger ◽  
Hari Krishna Ananthula ◽  
Pankaj B. Desai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Fungal Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Properties ◽  
Pass Through

ABSTRACTThe incidence of invasive fungal infections has risen dramatically in recent decades. Current antifungal drugs are either toxic, likely to interact with other drugs, have a narrow spectrum of activity, or induce fungal resistance. Hence, there is a great need for new antifungals, possibly with novel mechanisms of action. Previously our group reported an acylhydrazone called BHBM that targeted the sphingolipid pathway and showed strong antifungal activity against several fungi. In this study, we screened 19 derivatives of BHBM. Three out of 19 derivatives were highly active againstCryptococcus neoformansin vitroand had low toxicity in mammalian cells. In particular, one of them, called D13, had a high selectivity index and showed better activity in an animal model of cryptococcosis, candidiasis, and pulmonary aspergillosis. D13 also displayed suitable pharmacokinetic properties and was able to pass through the blood-brain barrier. These results suggest that acylhydrazones are promising molecules for the research and development of new antifungal agents.

scholarly journals 1376. Antifungal Activity of Cerium Nitrate Against Fungal Isolates Associated with Combat-Related Injuries Including Burns

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S422-S422
Author(s):  
Heather Pomerantz ◽  
Miriam Beckius ◽  
Dana Blyth ◽  
Kevin S Akers ◽  
David R Tribble ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Mucor Circinelloides ◽  
Cerium Nitrate ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Burn Care ◽  
Fungal Isolates ◽  
Time Kill ◽  
Slow Growing

Abstract Background Fungal infections are a critical cause of morbidity and mortality in burn patients. In addition to debridement and systemic antifungal therapy, various topical adjuncts have been used, and topical burn care is a key component of infection prevention and treatment. Cerium nitrate (CN) has been used in combination with silver sulfadiazine (SS) in burn care. Previous studies showed that CN had bacteriostatic activity, and suggested anti-biofilm activity against Candida biofilms. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro activity of CN against fungal isolates associated with combat-related injuries. Methods The efficacy of CN was evaluated against 14 mold (three Aspergillus spp., two Fusarium spp., five different mucormycetes, two Bipolaris spp., one Alternaria spp., one Exophiala spp.) and 21 Candida spp. isolates collected as part of the Trauma Infectious Disease Outcomes Study. Fungicidal activity of various concentrations of CN (2.2%, 1%, 0.5% and 0.2%) was determined using an established time-kill assay. Standard conidia/cell suspensions were prepared according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines and then exposed to the CN solutions for 24 hours. At different times (0, 5, 15, 30 minutes, 1, 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours) aliquots were plated and incubated at 35ºC. Colony forming unit (CFU) counts were determined after 24 hours incubation or after an appropriate time for slow growing molds. Results All mold isolates had persistent growth at 24 hours with most having no significant change in colony counts over the 24-hour period. The only exception was Mucor circinelloides, which appeared to have a time-dependent reduction in CFUs at 24 hours for all CN concentrations. Exophiala did not grow as well in CN solutions compared with the control (mean 65 vs. 28.2 CFUs with a difference of mean 37.4 CFUs, P = 0.0001), but this was not time or concentration dependent. All yeast species showed a time-dependent killing after 6–12 hours. Conclusion CN demonstrated time-dependent killing of the yeasts. However, very little activity was observed against the tested molds. Since CN is often used in combination with SS there might be a synergistic effect against molds. Further research will evaluate higher concentrations of CN and its toxicity for cells and tissue. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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