scholarly journals Bis(Tryptophan) Amphiphiles Form Ion Conducting Pores and Enhance Antimicrobial Activity against Resistant Bacteria

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1391
Author(s):  
Mohit Patel ◽  
Saeedeh Negin ◽  
Joseph Meisel ◽  
Shanheng Yin ◽  
Michael Gokel ◽  
...  

The compounds referred to as bis(tryptophan)s (BTs) have shown activity as antimicrobials. The hypothesis that the activity of these novel amphiphiles results from insertion in bilayer membranes and transport of cations is supported by planar bilayer voltage-clamp studies reported herein. In addition, fluorescence studies of propidium iodide penetration of vital bacteria confirmed enhanced permeability. It was also found that BTs having either meta-phenylene or n-dodecylene linkers function as effective adjuvants to enhance the properties of FDA-approved antimicrobials against organisms such as S. aureus. In one example, a BT-mediated synergistic effect enhanced the potency of norfloxacin against S. aureus by 128-fold. In order to determine if related compounds in which tryptophan was replaced by other common amino acids (H2N-Aaa-linker-Aaa-NH2) we active, a family of analogs have been prepared, characterized, and tested as controls for both antimicrobial activity and as adjuvants for other antimicrobials against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The most active of the compounds surveyed remain the bis(tryptophan) derivatives.

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (16) ◽  
pp. 2987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelius Domhan ◽  
Philipp Uhl ◽  
Christian Kleist ◽  
Stefan Zimmermann ◽  
Florian Umstätter ◽  
...  

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria are a global emerging problem. New antibiotics that rely on innovative modes of action are urgently needed. Ranalexin is a potent antimicrobial peptide (AMP) produced in the skin of the American bullfrog Rana catesbeiana. Despite strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, ranalexin shows disadvantages such as poor pharmacokinetics. To tackle these problems, a ranalexin derivative consisting exclusively of d-amino acids (named danalexin) was synthesized and compared to the original ranalexin for its antimicrobial potential and its biodistribution properties in a rat model. Danalexin showed improved biodistribution with an extended retention in the organisms of Wistar rats when compared to ranalexin. While ranalexin is rapidly cleared from the body, danalexin is retained primarily in the kidneys. Remarkably, both peptides showed strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria of the genus Acinetobacter with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) between 4 and 16 mg/L (1.9–7.6 µM). Moreover, both peptides showed lower antimicrobial activities with MICs ≥32 mg/L (≥15.2 µM) against further Gram-negative bacteria. The preservation of antimicrobial activity proves that the configuration of the amino acids does not affect the anticipated mechanism of action, namely pore formation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Mashooq Ahmad Bhat ◽  
Mohamed A. Al-Omar ◽  
Ahmed M. Naglah ◽  
Abdul Arif Khan

A series of pyrazoles derived from the substituted enaminones were synthesized and were evaluated for antimicrobial activity. All the compounds were characterized by the spectral data and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were initially screened for their antimicrobial activity against ATCC 6538, NCTC 10400, NCTC 10418, and ATCC 27853. During initial screening, compounds (P1, P6, and P11) presented significant antimicrobial activity through disc diffusion assay. These compounds were further evaluated for antimicrobial activity at different time points against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and presented significant activity for 6 hours. The activity was found to be greater against Gram-positive bacteria. In contrast at 24 hours, the activity was found only against Gram-positive bacteria except compound (P11), showing activity against both types of bacteria. Compound (P11) was found to have highest activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.


2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 848-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Kunin ◽  
W. Y. Ellis

ABSTRACT Mefloquine was found to have bactericidal activity against methicillin- and fluoroquinolone-susceptible and -resistant strains ofStaphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and gentamicin- and vancomycin-resistant strains ofEnterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. The MICs were 16 μg/ml, and the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were 16 to 32 μg/ml. These concentrations cannot be achieved in serum. Mefloquine was active at a more achievable concentration against penicillin-susceptible and -resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, with MICs of 0.2 to 1.5 μg/ml. Mefloquine was not active against gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. In an attempt to find more active derivatives, 400 mefloquine-related compounds were selected from the chemical inventory of The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. We identified a series of compounds containing a piperidine methanol group attached to pyridine, quinoline, and benzylquinoline ring systems. These had activities similar to that of mefloquine against S. pneumoniae but were far more active against other gram-positive bacteria (MICs for staphylococci, 0.8 to 6.3 μg/ml). They had activities similar to that of amphotericin B againstCandida spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans. Combinations of the compounds with gentamicin and vancomycin were additive against staphylococci and pneumococci. The MIC and MBC of gentamicin were decreased by four- to eightfold when this drug was combined with limiting dilutions of the compounds. There was no antagonism with other antimicrobial drugs. The compounds were rapidly bactericidal. They appear to act by disrupting cell membranes. Combinations of the compounds with aminoglycoside antibiotics may have potential for therapeutic use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eti Nurwening Sholikhah ◽  
Maulina Diah ◽  
Mustofa ◽  
Masriani ◽  
Susi Iravati ◽  
...  

Pycnarrhena cauliflora (Miers.) Diels., local name sengkubak, is one of indigenous plants from West Kalimantan that has been used as natural flavor. Pycnorrhena cauliflora is one of species of Menispermaceae family which is rich in bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. This alkaloids are known to have various biological activities including antiprotozoal, antiplasmodial, antifungal and antibacterial activities. This study aimed to investigate antimicrobial activity of  the P. cauliflora (Miers.) Diels. methanolic extracts against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The methanolic extract of P. cauliflora (Miers.) Diels., root, leaf and stem were prepared by maceration. The disk-diffusion method was then used to determine the antimicrobial activity of the extracts against Streptococcus pyogenes, S. mutants, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli after 18-24 h incubation at 37 oC. Amoxicillin was used as positive control for gram-positive bacteria and ciprofloxacin was used as gram-negative bacteria. The inhibition zones were then measured in mm. Analysis were conducted in duplicates. The results showed in general the methanolic extracts of P. cauliflora (Miers.) Diels. root (inhibition zone diameter= 10-23 mm) were more active than that leaf (0-15 mm) and stem (0-17 mm) extracts against gram-positive bacteria. The zone inhibition diameter of amoxicillin as positive control was 8-42 mm. In addition, the methanolic extracts of P. cauliflora (Miers.) Diels. root (12-17 mm) were also more active than that leaf (0-12 mm) and stem (0-12 mm) extracts against gram-negative bacteria. The zone inhibition diameter of ciprofloxacin as positive control was 33-36 mm. In conclusion, the methanolic extract of P. caulifloria (Miers.) Diels. root is the most extract active against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Further study will be focused to isolate active compounds in the methanolic extract of the root.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 2077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Díaz-Roa ◽  
Abraham Espinoza-Culupú ◽  
Orlando Torres-García ◽  
Monamaris M. Borges ◽  
Ivan N. Avino ◽  
...  

Antibiotic resistance is at dangerous levels and increasing worldwide. The search for new antimicrobial drugs to counteract this problem is a priority for health institutions and organizations, both globally and in individual countries. Sarconesiopsis magellanica blowfly larval excretions and secretions (ES) are an important source for isolating antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). This study aims to identify and characterize a new S. magellanica AMP. RP-HPLC was used to fractionate ES, using C18 columns, and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated. The peptide sequence of the fraction collected at 43.7 min was determined by mass spectrometry (MS). Fluorescence and electronic microscopy were used to evaluate the mechanism of action. Toxicity was tested on HeLa cells and human erythrocytes; physicochemical properties were evaluated. The molecule in the ES was characterized as sarconesin II and it showed activity against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli MG1655, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, P. aeruginosa PA14) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Micrococcus luteus A270) bacteria. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration obtained was 1.9 μM for M. luteus A270; the AMP had no toxicity in any cells tested here and its action in bacterial membrane and DNA was confirmed. Sarconesin II was documented as a conserved domain of the ATP synthase protein belonging to the Fli-1 superfamily. The data reported here indicated that peptides could be alternative therapeutic candidates for use in infections against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and eventually as a new resource of compounds for combating multidrug-resistant bacteria.


2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (3-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nor Syafawani Sarah Md Saad ◽  
Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik Malek ◽  
Chun Shiong Chong

The aim of this research was to determine the antimicrobial activity of kaolinite modified with antimicrobial compounds against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Copper kaolinite (Cu-kaolinite) was prepared by loading raw kaolinite with copper nitrate trihydrate (CuNO3) while surfactant modified Cu-kaolinite (SM-Cu-kaolinite) was prepared by adding cationic surfactants hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium (HDTMA) on Cu-Kaolinite. Samples was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer. The antimicrobial activity of the samples was tested against Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 11229 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442), and Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212) through disc diffusion technique (DDT) and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). The results showed that the antimicrobial activity of Cu-kaolinite increased after modified with HDTMA due to the synergistic effects of Cu ions and HDTMA molecules on the kaolinite. The antimicrobial activity for surfactant modified Cu-kaolinite was greater for Gram positive bacteria compared to Gram negative bacteria. In conclusion, the attachment of HDTMA on Cu-kaolinite contributed to the enhanced antimicrobial activity against wide spectrum of bacteria (Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria).


2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1934578X0900400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Branislava Lakušić ◽  
Violeta Slavkovska ◽  
Milica Pavlović ◽  
Marina Milenković ◽  
Jelena Antić Stanković ◽  
...  

The essential oils of the aerial parts and fruits of Chaerophyllum aureum L., collected from two mountains in Serbia, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Sabinene (18.5-31.6%), p-cymene (7.9-25.4%) and limonene (1.9-10.9%) were characterized as the main constituents. The oils were tested against six bacterial strains and one strain of yeast, Candida albicans. The highest antimicrobial activity was observed against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Micrococcus luteus, while of the Gram-negative strains, Escherichia coli was the most sensitive.


Antibiotics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamil Liscano ◽  
Constain H. Salamanca ◽  
Lina Vargas ◽  
Stefania Cantor ◽  
Valentina Laverde-Rojas ◽  
...  

Recently, resistance of pathogens towards conventional antibiotics has increased, representing a threat to public health globally. As part of the fight against this, studies on alternative antibiotics such as antimicrobial peptides have been performed, and it has been shown that their sequence and structure are closely related to their antimicrobial activity. Against this background, we here evaluated the antibacterial activity of two peptides developed by solid-phase synthesis, Alyteserin 1c (WT) and its mutant derivative (ΔM), which shows increased net charge and reduced hydrophobicity. These structural characteristics were modified as a result of amino acid substitutions on the polar face of the WT helix. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of both peptides was obtained in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results showed that the rational substitutions of the amino acids increased the activity in Gram-positive bacteria, especially against Staphylococcus aureus, for which the MIC was one-third of that for the WT analog. In contrast to the case for Gram-positive bacteria, these substitutions decreased activity against Gram-negative bacteria, especially in Escherichia coli, for which the MIC was eight-fold higher than that exhibited by the WT peptide. To understand this, models of the peptide behavior upon interacting with membranes of E. coli and S. aureus created using molecular dynamics were studied and it was determined that the helical stability of the peptide is indispensable for antimicrobial activity. The hydrogen bonds between the His20 of the peptides and the phospholipids of the membranes should modulate the selectivity associated with structural stability at the carboxy-terminal region of the peptides.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 6295-6304
Author(s):  
Fabio A. P. Scacchetti ◽  
Filipa Fernandes ◽  
Artur Ribeiro ◽  
Artur Cavaco-Paulo ◽  
Joaquim O. Carneiro ◽  
...  

The antimicrobial functionality of composites constituted by chitosan with silver-doped zeolites was developed and characterized. A composite with chitosan particles and silver-doped zeolites was synthesized using an ionic gelation process with sodium tripolyphosphate. The chitosan silver-doped zeolites composite obtained presented sizes up to 5 μm, while the silver-doped zeolites had an average size between 0.5 μm and 3.3 μm. The synthesized chitosan silver-doped zeolites composites, as well as the silver-doped zeolites and the chitosan dissolution, were characterized through X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The electro kinetic behaviour of chitosan, silver-doped zeolites and chitosan silver-doped zeolites composite was evaluated under different pH conditions. The antimicrobial activity of the composites was evaluated in terms of minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum lethal concentrations and the results suggest that the chitosan silver-doped zeolites composites show antimicrobial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively and against Candida albicans. The results here presented support the potential application of the composite of chitosan with silver-doped zeolites in the functionalization of textiles with antimicrobial properties.


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