The synergistic effect of minocycline and azole antifungal drugs against Scedosporium and Lomentospora species

Background This study was aimed to determine the potency of Minocycline (MIN) and azoles, including itraconazole (ITR), voriconazole (VOR) and posaconazole (POS) against Scedosporium and Lomentospora species. Results This study revealed that MIN exhibited no significant antifungal activity against any of the tested strains, whereas in vitro combination of MIN with ITR, VOR or POS showed satisfactory synergistic effects against 8 (80%), 1 (10%), and 9 (90%) strains, respectively. Moreover, combined use of MIN with azoles decreased the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range from 5.33–16 μg/ml to 1–16 μg/ml for ITR, from 0.42–16 μg/ml to 0.21–16 μg/ml for VOR, and from 1.33–16 μg/ml to 0.33–16 μg/ml for POS. Meanwhile, no antagonistic interactions were observed between the above combinations. The G. mellonella infection model demonstrated the in vivo synergistic antifungal effect of MIN and azoles. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that combinations between MIN and azoles lead to synergistic antimicrobial effects on Scedosporium and Lomentospora species, while showing a potential for overcoming and preventing azole resistance.

Antioxidant and Antifungal Activity of the Cynophalla flexuosa (L.) J. Presl (Capparaceae) against Opportunistic Fungal Pathogens

The chemical composition of the Cynophalla flexuosa hydroethanolic extract (CFHEE) was identified and its antioxidant, antifungal and antipleomorphic activities against C. albicans and C. tropicalis strains were evaluated. Phytochemical prospecting evidenced polyphenolic and triterpenoid compounds while UPLC-MS analysis revealed the presence of Isopropyl/n-propyl-GLS; Methylpropyl-GLS/butyl-GLS; Methylbutyl-GLS; Quercetin O-di-hexoside; Quercetin-pentosyl-hexoside; Rutin; Quercetin O-glucoside; Kaempferol O-rhamnosyl-hexoside; Kaempferol O-pentosyl-hexoside and Lariciresinol hexoside. The CFHEE inhibited the effect of the DPPH● free radical, both when evaluated individually and in combination with the antifungal fluconazole. When associated with 256 μg/mL fluconazole, the extract, at concentrations from 128 μg/mL, reduced the effect of the DPPH● free radical with values ranging from 37.7% to 95.8%. The extract’s antifungal effect was considered clinically irrelevant and its combination with the antifungal triggered an antagonistic effect against the two strains, thus indicating the popular use of bravo beans in the form of teas or infusions should not be combined with the intake of the drug Fluconazole as this may lead to a reduction of its clinical effect. The extract, however, inhibited morphological changes (pleomorphism) in Candida species, preventing the development of hyphae. The CFHEE possesses an antioxidant effect and a potential pharmacological activity for the inhibition of one of the Candida spp. virulence factors.

Screening of Bacillus velezensis E2 and the Inhibitory Effect of Its Antifungal Substances on Aspergillus flavus

Aspergilus flavus is the main pathogenic fungus that causes food mold. Effective control of A. flavus contamination is essential to ensure food safety. The lipopeptides (LPs) produced by Bacillus strains have been shown to have an obvious antifungal effect on molds. In this study, an antagonist strain of Bacillus velezensis with obvious antifungal activity against A. flavus was isolated from the surface of healthy rice. Using HPLC-MS analysis, the main components of LPs produced by strain E2 were identified as fengycin and iturins. Further investigations showed that LPs could inhibit the spore germination, and even cause abnormal expansion of hyphae and cell rupture. Transcriptomic analyses showed that some genes, involved in ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes (NOG1, KRE33) and aflatoxin biosynthesis (aflK, aflR, veA, omtA) pathways in A. flavus were significantly down-regulated by LPs. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the cellular and molecular antifungal mechanisms of LPs against grain A. flavus contamination.

https://acgpubs.org/doc/20220107214746A3-RAFC-2107-2149.pdf

In this study, antibacterial and antifungal properties of four medlar extracts obtained using four different solvents, ethanol, methanol, acetone and water, were investigated. The disk diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial effects of the extracts. In addition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were determined. The antibacterial effect of the pure water extract of medlar on S. aureus bacteria was found to be high (11.46 mm). In addition, the MIC and MBC values of the pure water extract were determined as 35.15 and 23.39 µg/mL for S. aureus bacteria. When the antifungal effect was examined, the antifungal effect of the pure water extract of medlar against P. crysogenum was found to be high (14.00 mm). The MIC and MFC values of the pure water extract of medlar are 23.43 and 11.72 µg/mL for P. crysogenum, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that the pure water extract had the highest antimicrobial effect.

Evaluation of the In Vitro Fungicidal Activity of Summer Savory and Lavender Essential Oils Against Fusarium solani

Fusarium spp is one of the major phytopathogenic microfungus strains causing severe losses in many economically cultivated crops. The soil-borne pathogen Fusarium solani has historically been considered a serious agent across the globe, causing vascular wilt and root rot in agroeconomic crops and eventually leading to plant death. Three different concentrations (1 µl, 2 µl, and 4 µl) of essential oils (EO) extracted from lavender (Lavandula officinalis L.) and summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) plants were mixed separately with PDA medium, and their antifungal effect against F. solani was investigated in vitro. When the results of the experiment were evaluated statistically, it was determined that the increasing concentrations of summer savory essential oil repressed the mycelial growth of the fungus, while lavender oil did not have any positive or negative effects. The inhibition activity of summer savory EO on F. solani was calculated as 43, 53, and 90% at the concentrations of 1, 2, and 4 µl, respectively. In this study, it was found that summer savory EO, even at a minimum dose, had a negative effect on agriculturally important wilt agent. In this context, it can be asserted that summer savory EO is a promising natural substance for the development of various fungicide solutions to prevent fungal diseases caused by vascular origin.

A critical Review of Dhoopan Karma in Ayurveda and Dhoopana of an Ayurvedic Herbomineral formulation Yavasarshapadi churna in context of Sterilization.

Dhoopana Karma is classical remedy mentioned in various Ayurvedic scriptures to maintain disease free and hygienic environment in the world. As per Ayurvedic scriptures Dhoopana is indicated for Rakshoghna Karma which means killing of disease producing microorganisms. Hence, it plays key role in prevention and cure of various infectious diseases.A similar process called fumigation is one of best and fastest method to maintain asepsis, antisepsis in wards and operation theatres of hospitals.Additionally, this study comprises critical literary review of herbomineral formulation named Yavasarshapadi Choorna which is indicated in form of incense for Dhoopana karma. It is indicated in Ayurvedic scripture Charaka Samhita in chapter Jatisutriya Sharir Adhyaya of Sharir Sthana. It was reviewed in context of sterilization activity to maintain asepsis and antisepsis. Specifically, it is indicated for fumigation of cloths and belongings of post-natal period of Women and that of the New born, Drug preparation room, New born care room, Surgical Procedure room modern surgery, traditional operation theatre sterilization was done by formalin gas fumigation over many decades which is found to have carcinogenic effect over human lives. Ayurvedic modality named Dhoopana was undertaken in current study as it is a safe and healthy alternative for sterilization.It overcomes harmful effects caused by modern sterilization method i.e. Formalin gas fumigation which is need of an hour. The Analytical study of antimicrobial and antifungal effect of various Ayurvedic Dhoopana Dravyas is the need of the hour along with preclinical and clinical study to verify Sterilization activity of various Ayurvedic Dhoopana Dravyas.

Nitrate Capture Investigation in Plasma-Activated Water and Its Antifungal Effect on Cryptococcus pseudolongus Cells

This research investigated the capture of nitrate by magnesium ions in plasma-activated water (PAW) and its antifungal effect on the cell viability of the newly emerged mushroom pathogen Cryptococcus pseudolongus. Optical emission spectra of the plasma jet exhibited several emission bands attributable to plasma-generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The plasma was injected directly into deionized water (DW) with and without an immersed magnesium block. Plasma treatment of DW produced acidic PAW. However, plasma-activated magnesium water (PA-Mg-W) tended to be neutralized due to the reduction in plasma-generated hydrogen ions by electrons released from the zero-valent magnesium. Optical absorption and Raman spectra confirmed that nitrate ions were the dominant reactive species in the PAW and PA-Mg-W. Nitrate had a concentration-dependent antifungal effect on the tested fungal cells. We observed that the free nitrate content could be controlled to be lower in the PA-Mg-W than in the PAW due to the formation of nitrate salts by the magnesium ions. Although both the PAW and PA-Mg-W had antifungal effects on C. pseudolongus, their effectiveness differed, with cell viability higher in the PA-Mg-W than in the PAW. This study demonstrates that the antifungal effect of PAW could be manipulated using nitrate capture. The wide use of plasma therapy for problematic fungus control is challenging because fungi have rigid cell wall structures in different fungal groups.