Characterization and Evaluation of Layered Bi2WO6 Nanosheets as a New Antibacterial Agent

Background: Pathogenic microorganisms are causing increasing cases of mortality and morbidity, along with alarming rates of ineffectiveness as a result of acquired antimicrobial resistance. Bi2WO6 showed good potential to be used as an antibacterial substance when exposed to visible light. This study demonstrates for the first time the dimension-dependent antibacterial activity of layered Bi2WO6 nanosheets. Materials and methods: The synthesized layered Bi2WO6 nanosheets were prepared by the hydrothermal method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Antibacterial and antibiotic-modulation activities were performed in triplicate by the microdilution method associated with visible light irradiation (LEDs). Results: Bi2WO6 nanosheets were effective against all types of bacteria tested, with MIC values of 256 µg/mL against Escherichia coli standard and resistant strains, and 256 µg/mL and 32 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus standard and resistant strains, respectively. Two-dimensional (2D) Bi2WO6 nanosheets showed antibacterial efficiency against both strains studied without the presence of light. Conclusions: Layered Bi2WO6 nanosheets revealed dimension-dependent antibacterial activity of the Bi2WO6 system.The authors thank Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico— CNPq, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—CAPES, and Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico—FUNCAP (Proc. BP4-00172-00232.01.00/20 and Proc. PR2-0101-00006.01.00/15) for the financial support. The authors would also like to thank the educational institutions UFCA, URCA, and UNILEÃO for their support during the experiments

Evaluation of antibacterial, antifungal and modulatory activity of methanol and ethanol extracts of Padina sanctae-crucis

Background: Multi-resistant microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida tropicalis e Candida krusei are the main causes of microbial infections. Padina sanctae-crucis is a seaweed often used to check the contamination of ecosystems by materials such as heavy metals, but studies of the antimicrobial activity of the same seaweed were not found.Methods: The tests for the minimum inhibitory concentration and   modulation of microbial resistance, with the use of ethanolic and  methanolic extracts of Padina Sanctae-cruces combined with drugs of the class of aminoglycosides and antifungal were used to evaluate the activity against the cited microorganisms.Results: Was observed a modulation of antibiotic activity between the natural products and the E. coli and S. aureus strains, indicating a synergism and antagonism respectively.Conclusions: The results showed a moderate modulatory effect against some microorganisms studied.Keywords: multi-resistant microorganisms, modulation, Padina Sanctae-crucis, antimicrobial activity

Anacardium plants: Chemical,nutritional composition and biotechnological applications

Anacardium plants are native to the American tropical regions, and Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew tree) is the most recognized species of the genus. These species contain rich secondary metabolites in their leaf and shoot powder, fruits and other parts that have shown diverse applications. This review describes the habitat and cultivation of Anacardium species, phytochemical and nutritional composition, and their industrial food applications. Besides, we also discuss the secondary metabolites present in Anacardium plants which display great antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. These make the use of Anacardium species in the food industry an interesting approach to the development of green foods.AK. Jugran acknowledges the partial funding from Uttarakhand council for Biotechnology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India (File No. UCB/R&D Project/2018-311) for this work. M. Martorell would like to thank the support offered by CONICYT PIA/APOYO CCTE AFB170007. N. Martins would like to thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT-Portugal) for the Strategic project ref. UID/BIM/04293/2013 and ?NORTE2020 - Northern Regional Operational Program? (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER- 000012)

Herbal therapy associated with antibiotic therapy: potentiation of the antibiotic activity against methicillin – resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Turnera ulmifolia L

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Staphylococcus </it>genus is widely spread in nature being part of the indigenous microbiota of skin and mucosa of animal and birds. Some <it>Staphylococcus </it>species are frequently recognized as etiological agents of many animal and human opportunistic infections This is the first report testing the antibiotic resistance-modifying activity of <it>Turnera ulmifolia </it>against methicillin-resistant <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>– MRSA strain.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study an ethanol extract of <it>Turnera ulmifolia </it>L. and chlorpromazine were tested for their antimicrobial activity alone or in combination with aminoglycosides against an MRSA strain.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The synergism of the ethanol extract and aminoglycosides were verified using microdillution method. A synergistic effect of this extract on gentamicin and kanamycin was demonstrated. Similarly, a potentiating effect of chlorpromazine on kanamycin, gentamicin and neomycin, indicating the involvement of an efflux system in the resistance to these aminoglycosides.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It is therefore suggested that extracts from <it>Turnera ulmifolia </it>could be used as a source of plant-derived natural products with resistance-modifying activity, constituting a new weapon against the problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics demonstrated in MRSA strains.</p

Effect of ethnomedicinal plants used in folklore medicine in Jordan as antibiotic resistant inhibitors on Escherichia coli

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Escherichia coli </it>occurs naturally in the human gut; however, certain strains that can cause infections, are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant <it>E. coli </it>that produce extended-spectrum β lactamases (ESBLs), such as the CTX-M enzymes, have emerged within the community setting as an important cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bloodstream infections may be associated with these community-onsets. This is the first report testing the antibiotic resistance-modifying activity of nineteen Jordanian plants against multidrug-resistant <it>E. coli</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The susceptibility of bacterial isolates to antibiotics was tested by determining their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using a broth microdilution method. Nineteen Jordanian plant extracts (<it>Capparis spinosa </it>L., <it>Artemisia herba-alba Asso, Echinops polyceras </it>Boiss., <it>Gundelia tournefortii </it>L, <it>Varthemia iphionoides </it>Boiss. & Blanche, <it>Eruca sativa Mill</it>., <it>Euphorbia macroclada </it>L., <it>Hypericum trequetrifolium </it>Turra, <it>Achillea santolina </it>L., <it>Mentha longifolia </it>Host, <it>Origanum syriacum </it>L., <it>Phlomis brachydo</it>(Boiss.) Zohary, <it>Teucrium polium </it>L., <it>Anagyris foetida </it>L., <it>Trigonella foenum-graecum </it>L., <it>Thea sinensis </it>L., <it>Hibiscus sabdariffa </it>L., <it>Lepidium sativum </it>L., <it>Pimpinella anisum </it>L.) were combined with antibiotics, from different classes, and the inhibitory effect of the combinations was estimated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Methanolic extracts of the plant materials enhanced the inhibitory effects of chloramphenicol, neomycin, doxycycline, cephalexin and nalidixic acid against both the standard strain and to a lesser extent the resistant strain of <it>E. coli</it>. Two edible plant extracts (<it>Gundelia tournefortii L</it>. and <it>Pimpinella anisum L</it>.) generally enhanced activity against resistant strain. Some of the plant extracts like <it>Origanum syriacum </it>L.(Labiateae), <it>Trigonella foenum- graecum </it>L.(Leguminosae), <it>Euphorbia macroclada </it>(Euphorbiaceae) and <it>Hibiscus sabdariffa </it>(Malvaceae) did not enhance the activity of amoxicillin against both standard and resistant <it>E. coli</it>. On the other hand combinations of amoxicillin with other plant extracts used showed variable effect between standard and resistant strains. Plant extracts like <it>Anagyris foetida </it>(Leguminosae) and <it>Lepidium sativum </it>(Umbelliferae) reduced the activity of amoxicillin against the standard strain but enhanced the activity against resistant strains. Three edible plants; Gundelia <it>tournefortii </it>L. (Compositae) <it>Eruca sativa </it>Mill. (Cruciferae), and <it>Origanum syriacum </it>L. (Labiateae), enhanced activity of clarithromycin against the resistant <it>E. coli </it>strain.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study probably suggests possibility of concurrent use of these antibiotics and plant extracts in treating infections caused by <it>E. coli </it>or at least the concomitant administration may not impair the antimicrobial activity of these antibiotics.</p

Factors Influencing the Virulence of Candida Spp: Factores que Influyen en la Virulencia de Candida Spp

Background: Diseases produced for Candida species (spp) are called candidiasis and this includes settling, superficial infection, deep tissue invasion and haematogenic dissemination (eyes, the skin, the kidneys and the brain). The species that more usually cause candidiasis are C albicans, C tropicalis and C glabrata. These species usually are found in the normal microbial populations of the mucosae and can be pathogenic due the vulnerability of the host. Objective: The objective of this paper is to review the factors that influence infection by Candida spp in order to empower health-workers in the management of such infections. Methods: Data were retrieved from the bibliographical data banks of SCIELO, HIGHWIRE, PUBMED, LILACS and SCIRUS. Conclusions: Knowledge about factors such as environment, exoenzymes, preferred infection sites and other factors that are essential for combating Candida infection and the risks associated with infection, will enhance efficient management. RESUMEN Introducción: Las enfermedades producidas por las especies de Cándida se denominan candidiásis, e incluyen asentamiento, infección superficial, invasión del tejido profundo y diseminación hematogénica (en los ojos, la piel, los riñones y la piel). Las especies que causan candidiásis con mayor frecuencia son C albicans, C tropicalis y C glabrata. Estas especies usualmente reencuentran en las poblaciones microbianas normales de las mucosas y pueden tornarse patogénicas debido a la vulnerabilidad del huésped. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar los factores que influyen en la infección por Candida spp, a fin de empoderar a los trabajadores de la salud en el tratamiento de este tipo de infección. Métodos: Los datos fueron tomados de los bancos de datos bibliográficos, tales como SCIELO, HIGHWIRE, PUBMED, LILACS y SCIRUS. Conclusiones: El conocimiento acerca de factores tales como el medio ambiente, las exoenzimas, los sitios preferidos de la infección y otros factores esenciales para combatir las infecciones por Cándida y los riesgos asociados con la infección, contribuirá a hacer el tratamiento más eficiente

Factors Influencing the Virulence of Candida Spp (Factores que Influyen en la Virulencia de Candida Spp)

Background: Diseases produced for Candida species (spp) are called candidiasis and this includes settling, superficial infection, deep tissue invasion and haematogenic dissemination (eyes, the skin, the kidneys and the brain). The species that more usually cause candidiasis are C albicans, C tropicalis and C glabrata. These species usually are found in the normal microbial populations of the mucosae and can be pathogenic due the vulnerability of the host. Objective: The objective of this paper is to review the factors that influence infection by Candida spp in order to empower health-workers in the management of such infections. Methods: Data were retrieved from the bibliographical data banks of SCIELO, HIGHWIRE, PUBMED, LILACS and SCIRUS. Conclusions: Knowledge about factors such as environment, exoenzymes, preferred infection sites and other factors that are essential for combating Candida infection and the risks associated with infection, will enhance efficient management. Resumen Introducción: Las enfermedades producidas por las especies de Cándida se denominan candidiásis, e incluyen asentamiento, infección superficial, invasión del tejido profundo y diseminación hematogénica (en los ojos, la piel, los riñones y la piel). Las especies que causan candidiásis con mayor frecuencia son C albicans, C tropicalis y C glabrata. Estas especies usualmente reencuentran en las poblaciones microbianas normales de las mucosas y pueden tornarse patogénicas debido a la vulnerabilidad del huésped. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar los factores que influyen en la infección por Candida spp, a fin de empoderar a los trabajadores de la salud en el tratamiento de este tipo de infección. Métodos: Los datos fueron tomados de los bancos de datos bibliográficos, tales como SCIELO, HIGHWIRE, PUBMED, LILACS y SCIRUS. Conclusiones: El conocimiento acerca de factores tales como el medio ambiente, las exoenzimas, los sitios preferidos de la infección y otros factores esenciales para combatir las infecciones por Cándida y los riesgos asociados con la infección, contribuirá a hacer el tratamiento más eficiente