Salivary Trefoil Factor Family (TFF) Peptides and Their Roles in Oral and Esophageal Protection: Therapeutic Potential

Human saliva is a complex body fluid with more than 3000 different identified proteins. Besides rheological and lubricating properties, saliva supports wound healing and acts as an antimicrobial barrier. TFF peptides are secreted from the mucous acini of the major and minor salivary glands and are typical constituents of normal saliva; TFF3 being the predominant peptide compared with TFF1 and TFF2. Only TFF3 is easily detectable by Western blotting. It occurs in two forms, a disulfide-linked homodimer (Mr: 13k) and a high-molecular-mass heterodimer with IgG Fc binding protein (FCGBP). TFF peptides are secretory lectins known for their protective effects in mucous epithelia; the TFF3 dimer probably has wound-healing properties due to its weak motogenic effect. There are multiple indications that FCGBP and TFF3-FCGBP play a key role in the innate immune defense of mucous epithelia. In addition, homodimeric TFF3 interacts in vitro with the salivary agglutinin DMBT1gp340. Here, the protective roles of TFF peptides, FCGBP, and DMBT1gp340 in saliva are discussed. TFF peptides are also used to reduce radiotherapy- or chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Thus, TFF peptides, FCGBP, and DMBT1gp340 are promising candidates for better formulations of artificial saliva, particularly improving wound healing and antimicrobial effects even in the esophagus.

Degradation of Bile Acids by Soil and Water Bacteria

Bile acids are surface-active steroid compounds with a C5 carboxylic side chain at the steroid nucleus. They are produced by vertebrates, mainly functioning as emulsifiers for lipophilic nutrients, as signaling compounds, and as an antimicrobial barrier in the duodenum. Upon excretion into soil and water, bile acids serve as carbon- and energy-rich growth substrates for diverse heterotrophic bacteria. Metabolic pathways for the degradation of bile acids are predominantly studied in individual strains of the genera Pseudomonas, Comamonas, Sphingobium, Azoarcus, and Rhodococcus. Bile acid degradation is initiated by oxidative reactions of the steroid skeleton at ring A and degradation of the carboxylic side chain before the steroid nucleus is broken down into central metabolic intermediates for biomass and energy production. This review summarizes the current biochemical and genetic knowledge on aerobic and anaerobic degradation of bile acids by soil and water bacteria. In addition, ecological and applied aspects are addressed, including resistance mechanisms against the toxic effects of bile acids.

Redox Active Antimicrobial Peptides in Controlling Growth of Microorganisms at Body Barriers

Epithelia in the skin, gut and other environmentally exposed organs display a variety of mechanisms to control microbial communities and limit potential pathogenic microbial invasion. Naturally occurring antimicrobial proteins/peptides and their synthetic derivatives (here collectively referred to as AMPs) reinforce the antimicrobial barrier function of epithelial cells. Understanding how these AMPs are functionally regulated may be important for new therapeutic approaches to combat microbial infections. Some AMPs are subject to redox-dependent regulation. This review aims to: (i) explore cysteine-based redox active AMPs in skin and intestine; (ii) discuss casual links between various redox environments of these barrier tissues and the ability of AMPs to control cutaneous and intestinal microbes; (iii) highlight how bacteria, through intrinsic mechanisms, can influence the bactericidal potential of redox-sensitive AMPs.

Development and characterization of electrospun curcumin-loaded antimicrobial nanofibrous membranes

Curcumin is a naturally occurring hydrophobic polyphenol compound. It exhibits a wide range of biological activities such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antifungal, anti-HIV, and antimicrobial activity. In this research work, antimicrobial curcumin nanofibrous membranes are produce by an electrospinning technique using the Eudragit RS 100 (C19H34ClNO6) polymer solution enriched with curcumin. The morphology and chemistry of the membrane are analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Kirby Bauer disk diffusion tests are carried out to examine the antibacterial effectiveness of the membrane. Experimental results show that the nanofibers produced are of uniform thickness morphology and curcumin is successfully incorporated into the nanofibrous mat, while no chemical bonding was observed between curcumin and the polymer. The antimicrobial curcumin nanofibrous membranes can be effectively applied as antimicrobial barrier in a wide variety of medical applications such as wound healing, scaffolds, and tissue engineering.

Preparation and application of a xylan-based antibacterial papermaking additive to protect against Escherichia coli bacteria

A xylan-based antimicrobial additive agent was prepared and studied for use in paper products against Escherichia coli bacteria. The derived cationic-xylan-grafted-guanidine polymer (CX-g-PHGH) was successfully synthesized by graft copolymerization of cationic-xylan with polyhexa-methylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHGH) using ceric ammonium nitrate as an initiator. The obtained CX-g-PHGH had a maximum PHGH grafting ratio of 18.4% and efficiency of 58.4% and showed good viscosity and thermal stability. Furthermore, the paper samples prepared in this work were reinforced noticeably with the addition of CX-g-PHGH, after which exhibited improved mechanical properties. Compared to the reference paper without any of the xylan derivatives, the index of tensile, tear, burst, and folding endurance of the paper were increased by up to 20.1%, 25.3%, 30.2%, and 77.8%, respectively. Moreover, the prepared CX-g-PHGH paper exhibited efficient antimicrobial barrier properties against E. coli bacteria, by which many applications based on the new xylan derived additive agent obtained in this work could be found, especially in field of antimicrobial paper products against E. coli bacteria from contaminated food.

Multidirectional Pharma-Toxicological Study on Harpagophytum procumbens DC. ex Meisn.: An IBD-Focused Investigation

In the present study, we investigated the water extract of Harpagophytum procumbens DC. ex Meisn. in an experimental model of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Additionally, a microbiological investigation was carried out to discriminate the efficacy against bacterial and fungal strains involved in IBDs. Finally, an untargeted proteomic analysis was conducted on more than one hundred colon proteins involved in tissue morphology and metabolism. The extract was effective in blunting the production of oxidative stress and inflammation, including serotonin, prostaglandins, cytokines, and transcription factors. Additionally, the extract inhibited the growth of Candida albicans and C. tropicalis. The extract was also able to exert a pro-homeostatic effect on the levels of a wide plethora of colon proteins, thus corroborating a protective effect. Conversely, the supraphysiological downregulation of cytoskeletal-related proteins involved in tissue morphology and antimicrobial barrier function suggests a warning in the use of food supplements containing H. procumbens extracts.

Olej kokosowy – możliwości zastosowań kosmetycznych

Coconut oil is a substance obtained form coconut palm fruit grown mainly in Africa. It is a material with many application. It is valued by the cosmetic industry and enjoys an increasing interest of individual clients. To learn its properties and possibilities of use in the cosmetic industry, the literature from 2004-2018 was reviewed. Copra is the part of the fruit that is rich of fatty compounds, carbohydrates and proteins. Depending on the methods of obtaining several types of coconut oil are distinguished: coconut butter, coconut oil extracted from copra, fractionated coconut oil and coconut oil from fresh flesh. Each one of these materials due to differences in composition may have other cosmetic properties. Coconut oil is a product rich in medium chain fatty acids, contains vitamin E and K, iron and phenolic compounds. Because of that it has some antioxidant effect, enhancing cellular and anti-aging immunity. In traditional and modern cosmetology it is valued for its ability to bind water, retain it in deeper skin layers and to create a protective antimicrobial barrier. It has been shown that coconut oil reduces the colonization of Candida fungi and also has relativity high SPF index in comparison with other vegetables oils. All these properties also make it extremely useful in haircare. Many studies confirm positive effect of using coconut oil in case of atopic dermatitis, hyperkeratosis and dryness. It is use in massage salons as an excellent lubricant. His role in skin care of newborns was also indicated. Coconut oil is safe and relatively cheap compound but it is use in many aspects is conditioned only by traditional knowledge not supported by many research. Returning to natural sources of cosmetics raw materials requires increasing efforts towards scientific confirmation of their operation.