Anti-yeast activity of extracts and fractions from Uvariodendron calophyllum (Annonaceae)

The resistance to available antifungals highlights the urgent need for innovative drugs to treat yeasts infections. This study aimed at evaluating the activity of extracts and fractions from Uvariodendron calophyllum against pathogenic yeasts. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts obtained by maceration were liquidliquid- partitioned using organic solvents and screened against isolates of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans reference strains NR-29445, NR-29444, NR-29451, and NR-29450 from BEI Resources using the broth micro-dilution method. Time kill kinetic, inhibition of germ-tube, filamentation and chlamydosporulation, and biofilm formation were assessed using the best sub-fraction. Overall, the most interesting sub-fraction (FS: 237–253) showed an MIC value of 0.0625 mg/mL with cidal effect against C. albicans NR-29450 and NR-29445 at 0.25 mg/mL after 12-16 hours and 24 hours respectively. Moderate inhibitory effects were observed at 0.25 mg/mL against germ-tube formation, filamentation and chlamydosporulation of all C. albicans strains. Also, very moderate inhibition of biofilm formation by C. albicans NR-29450 at 0.25 mg/mL was obtained. The results obtained support U. calophyllum as a potential source of compounds with anti-yeast activity. Further studies will confirm its potential as source of anti-yeast drugs.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Uvariodendron calophyllum, anti-yeasts activity, time kill kinetics, biofil

Compounds from <em>Terminalia mantaly</em> L. (Combretaceae) Stem Bark Exhibit Potent Inhibition against some Pathogenic Yeasts and Enzymes of Metabolic Significance<strong></strong>

Tchuenmogne MAT, Ngouana TK, Gohlke S, et al. Compounds from &lt;em&gt;Terminalia mantaly&lt;/em&gt; L. (Combretaceae) Stem Bark Exhibit Potent Inhibition against some Pathogenic Yeasts and Enzymes of Metabolic Significance&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;. Preprints. 2016.The chemical investigation of the anti-yeast methanol extract from the stem bark of Terminalia mantaly led to the isolation of seven compounds: 3-O-methyl-4-O-&amp;alpha;-rhamnopyranoside ellagic acid (1), 3-O-mehylellagic acid (2), arjungenin or 2,3,19,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-o&amp;iuml;c acid (3), arjunglucoside or 2,3,19,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-o&amp;iuml;c acid glucopyranoside (4), 2&amp;alpha;,3&amp;alpha;,24-trihydroxyolean-11,13(18)-dien-28-o&amp;iuml;c acid (5), stigmasterol (6), stigmasterol 3-O-&amp;beta;-D-glucopyranoside (7). Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic analysis and comparison with published data. Compounds 1-5 were tested in vitro for activity against three pathogenic yeast isolates, Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei. The activity of compounds 1, 2 and 4 were comparable to that of the reference compound fluconazole (MIC values below 32 &amp;micro;g/ml) against the three tested yeast isolates. They were also tested for inhibitory properties against four enzymes of metabolic significance: Glucose-6-Phosphate Deshydrogenase (G6PD), human erythrocyte Carbonic anhydrase I and II (hCA I and hCA II), Glutathione S-transferase (GST). Compound 4 showed highly potent inhibitory property against the four tested enzymes with overall IC50 values below 4 &amp;micro;M and inhibitory constant (Ki) &amp;lt;3 &amp;micro;M.</jats:p

Genetic diversity of cryptococcus and candida isolates from Yaoundé HIV positive patients and study of their antifungal susceptibility against antifungal drugs and plant extracts

Cryptococcus neoformans et les levures du genre Candida sont fréquemment impliqués dans les infections fongiques opportunistes chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH (PVVIH). Les données sur l'épidémiologie moléculaire et la sensibilité de ces levures aux antifongiques sont rares au Cameroun. Les objectifs de ce travail ont été (i) d'obtenir et caractériser génétiquement les isolats de Cryptococcus et de Candida issus des PVVIH à Yaoundé, (ii) d'étudier leur profil de sensibilité à divers antifongiques, (iii) d'étudier l'activité antifongique des extraits de 3 plantes médicinales (Terminalia mantaly, Terminalia catappa et Monodora tenuifolia). Vingt-cinq souches de C. neoformans et 317 isolats Candida dont 113 C. albicans ont été isolés respectivement de 171 et 402 PVVIH à l'Hôpital Central de Yaoundé. Ces isolats ont été identifiés sur la base de leurs caractères phénotypiques, biochimiques, par spectrométrie de masse et par PCR quantitative. La diversité génétique de 150 isolats (25 prélèvement initiaux et 125 colonies) de C. neoformans a été réalisée par séro-génotypage, PCR-RFLP et polymorphisme de séquences microsatellites. La diversité génétique des 113 isolats de C. albicans a été réalisée par génotypage et par analyse du polymorphisme de séquences microsatellites. La recherche des espèces du complexe C. albicans s'est effectuée par amplification du gène Hwp1. La sensibilité des isolats de C. neoformans aux antifongiques (posaconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotéricine B et 5-fluorocytosine) a été évaluée par microdilution en milieu liquide grâce au kit « Sensititre YeastOne® ». Le protocole CLSI M27-A3 été utilisé pour l'étude de la sensibilité des isolats de C. albicans à l'amphotéricine B, au fluconazole, au ketoconazole et à l'itraconazole. L'étude de l'activité antifongique des extraits de plantes s'est déroulée en 3 étapes : (i) screening préliminaire avec détermination de la concentration minimale inhibitrice (CMI) des extraits bruts, (ii) fractionnement bio-guidé, (iii) étude des interactions synergiques dans les combinaisons de ces subfractions. C. neoformans var grubii est la seule espèce de cryptocoque isolée des liquides céphalorachidiens. Quinze espèces de Candida ont été isolées et C. albicans reste l'espèce majoritaire. C. africana a été isolée et identifiée pour la première fois au Cameroun. La diversité génétique des isolats de C. neoformans a montré 14 types moléculaires, et 24% de patients étaient infectés par deux types moléculaires différents. Le génotype A est majoritaire dans les isolats de C. albicans et 65 types moléculaires différents ont été observés. L'analyse du polymorphisme du gène Hwp1 a permis de définir de nouveaux génotypes (H1-H6). Les souches de C. neoformans sont sensibles aux antifongiques testés. Une souche présente une sensibilité réduite à la 5-fluorocytosine et une autre au fluconazole. Des isolats issus du même patient peuvent présenter des sensibilités différentes aux antifongiques testés. Les isolats de C. albicans présentent une sensibilité aux antifongiques similaire à celle décrite dans la littérature. Il a été montré qu'il existe une relation entre la sensibilité à l'itraconazole et le génotype H chez les isolats de C. albicans (p-value <0,05). Les extraits de plantes présentent des activités inhibitrices contre les levures testées. Les fractions obtenues par fractionnement bio-guidé ont permis l'amélioration de l'activité de 7 extraits. La combinaison de ces subfractions a donné une combinaison synergique et fongicide dérivée de T. mantaly et de M. tenuifolia. En conclusion, ce travail apporte de nouvelles données sur la compréhension de l'épidémiologie moléculaire et de la sensibilité des isolats de C. neoformans et de Candida aux antifongiques à Yaoundé. L'étude des extraits de plantes semble être une voie prometteuse dans le développement de thérapies antifongiques alternatives.Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida species are the main causative agents of yeast opportunistic infections among HIV infected persons. However, information on molecular their epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility are scarce in Cameroon. The main objective of this work was to study the genetic diversity and the antifungal susceptibility against antifungal drugs and plant extracts of C. neoformans and Candida isolates from Yaoundé HIV patients. C. neoformans (25) and Candida (317 among which 113 C. albicans) Isolates were obtained, from 171 and 402 HIV patients at the Yaoundé Central Hospital respectively. They were identified by phenotypic and biochemical characters, by mass spectrometry and quantitative PCR. The genetic diversity of 150 C. neoformans isolates (25 initial isolates and 125 colonies) was carried out by serotyping, microsatellite length polymorphism and PCR-RFLP. The genetic diversity of the 113 C. albicans isolates was performed by genotyping and microsatellite length polymorphism. The identification of C. albicans complex species was achieved by PCR amplification of the Hwp1 gene. The antifungal susceptibility testing of C. neoformans against posaconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine was carried out by the broth microdilution test using the « Sensititre YeastOne® » kit. The CLSI M27-A3 protocol was used for the determination of the C. albicans isolate's susceptibility against amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluconazole and itraconazole which are frequently used in Cameroon. The antifungal activity of extracts from Terminalia mantaly, Terminalia catappa and Monodora tenuifolia was performed by a preliminary screening with the determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of crude extracts. Selected extracts were therefore submitted to the bio-guided fractionation. Selected subfractions were submitted to combination assays. C. neoformans var grubii was the lonely Cryptococcus species isolated in cerebrospinal fluids. Fifteen Candida species were isolates from mucosae with C. albicans remaining the most frequent. C. africana has been isolated for the first time in Cameroon. C. neoformans and C. albicans provided 14 and 65 major molecular types respectively. It was also found that a patient can be infected by 2 different molecular types of C. neoformans. C. albicans genotype A was the most frequent. The PCR amplification of the Hwp1 gene allowed the identification of a novel molecular profile among the C. albicans complex and named H (H1-H6). C. neoformans isolates were susceptible to the tested drugs. However, one isolate exhibited reduced susceptibility to fluconazole and one another to 5-fluorocytosine. C. albicans isolates expressed various susceptibility profiles similar to what described in the literature. Furthermore, there was a relationship between the H-typing and the antifungal susceptibility of C. albicans isolates against itraconazole (p-value<0.05). T. mantaly, T. catappa and M. tenuifolia extracts exhibited antifungal activity against tested yeasts. Bioguided fractionation allowed improves of the antifungal activity from crude extracts to subfractions. Synergism was observed, and the most active combination from T. mantaly and M. tenuifolia was also fungicidal on tested yeasts. Conclusively, the present work brings new tools for the comprehension and the better management of C. neoformans and Candida infections among Yaoundé HIV positive patients. The antifungal resistance emergence of yeasts isolates could be compensated by the development of a new antifungal medicine from subfractions combinations of T. mantaly and M. tenuifolia

Diversité génétique d'isolats de Cryptococcus et Candida issus des patients VIH positifs à Yaoundé et étude de leur sensibilité aux antifongiques et aux extraits de plantes

Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida species are the main causative agents of yeast opportunistic infections among HIV infected persons. However, information on molecular their epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility are scarce in Cameroon. The main objective of this work was to study the genetic diversity and the antifungal susceptibility against antifungal drugs and plant extracts of C. neoformans and Candida isolates from Yaoundé HIV patients. C. neoformans (25) and Candida (317 among which 113 C. albicans) Isolates were obtained, from 171 and 402 HIV patients at the Yaoundé Central Hospital respectively. They were identified by phenotypic and biochemical characters, by mass spectrometry and quantitative PCR. The genetic diversity of 150 C. neoformans isolates (25 initial isolates and 125 colonies) was carried out by serotyping, microsatellite length polymorphism and PCR-RFLP. The genetic diversity of the 113 C. albicans isolates was performed by genotyping and microsatellite length polymorphism. The identification of C. albicans complex species was achieved by PCR amplification of the Hwp1 gene. The antifungal susceptibility testing of C. neoformans against posaconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine was carried out by the broth microdilution test using the « Sensititre YeastOne® » kit. The CLSI M27-A3 protocol was used for the determination of the C. albicans isolate's susceptibility against amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluconazole and itraconazole which are frequently used in Cameroon. The antifungal activity of extracts from Terminalia mantaly, Terminalia catappa and Monodora tenuifolia was performed by a preliminary screening with the determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of crude extracts. Selected extracts were therefore submitted to the bio-guided fractionation. Selected subfractions were submitted to combination assays. C. neoformans var grubii was the lonely Cryptococcus species isolated in cerebrospinal fluids. Fifteen Candida species were isolates from mucosae with C. albicans remaining the most frequent. C. africana has been isolated for the first time in Cameroon. C. neoformans and C. albicans provided 14 and 65 major molecular types respectively. It was also found that a patient can be infected by 2 different molecular types of C. neoformans. C. albicans genotype A was the most frequent. The PCR amplification of the Hwp1 gene allowed the identification of a novel molecular profile among the C. albicans complex and named H (H1-H6). C. neoformans isolates were susceptible to the tested drugs. However, one isolate exhibited reduced susceptibility to fluconazole and one another to 5-fluorocytosine. C. albicans isolates expressed various susceptibility profiles similar to what described in the literature. Furthermore, there was a relationship between the H-typing and the antifungal susceptibility of C. albicans isolates against itraconazole (p-value<0.05). T. mantaly, T. catappa and M. tenuifolia extracts exhibited antifungal activity against tested yeasts. Bioguided fractionation allowed improves of the antifungal activity from crude extracts to subfractions. Synergism was observed, and the most active combination from T. mantaly and M. tenuifolia was also fungicidal on tested yeasts. Conclusively, the present work brings new tools for the comprehension and the better management of C. neoformans and Candida infections among Yaoundé HIV positive patients. The antifungal resistance emergence of yeasts isolates could be compensated by the development of a new antifungal medicine from subfractions combinations of T. mantaly and M. tenuifolia.Cryptococcus neoformans et les levures du genre Candida sont fréquemment impliqués dans les infections fongiques opportunistes chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH (PVVIH). Les données sur l'épidémiologie moléculaire et la sensibilité de ces levures aux antifongiques sont rares au Cameroun. Les objectifs de ce travail ont été (i) d'obtenir et caractériser génétiquement les isolats de Cryptococcus et de Candida issus des PVVIH à Yaoundé, (ii) d'étudier leur profil de sensibilité à divers antifongiques, (iii) d'étudier l'activité antifongique des extraits de 3 plantes médicinales (Terminalia mantaly, Terminalia catappa et Monodora tenuifolia). Vingt-cinq souches de C. neoformans et 317 isolats Candida dont 113 C. albicans ont été isolés respectivement de 171 et 402 PVVIH à l'Hôpital Central de Yaoundé. Ces isolats ont été identifiés sur la base de leurs caractères phénotypiques, biochimiques, par spectrométrie de masse et par PCR quantitative. La diversité génétique de 150 isolats (25 prélèvement initiaux et 125 colonies) de C. neoformans a été réalisée par séro-génotypage, PCR-RFLP et polymorphisme de séquences microsatellites. La diversité génétique des 113 isolats de C. albicans a été réalisée par génotypage et par analyse du polymorphisme de séquences microsatellites. La recherche des espèces du complexe C. albicans s'est effectuée par amplification du gène Hwp1. La sensibilité des isolats de C. neoformans aux antifongiques (posaconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotéricine B et 5-fluorocytosine) a été évaluée par microdilution en milieu liquide grâce au kit « Sensititre YeastOne® ». Le protocole CLSI M27-A3 été utilisé pour l'étude de la sensibilité des isolats de C. albicans à l'amphotéricine B, au fluconazole, au ketoconazole et à l'itraconazole. L'étude de l'activité antifongique des extraits de plantes s'est déroulée en 3 étapes : (i) screening préliminaire avec détermination de la concentration minimale inhibitrice (CMI) des extraits bruts, (ii) fractionnement bio-guidé, (iii) étude des interactions synergiques dans les combinaisons de ces subfractions. C. neoformans var grubii est la seule espèce de cryptocoque isolée des liquides céphalorachidiens. Quinze espèces de Candida ont été isolées et C. albicans reste l'espèce majoritaire. C. africana a été isolée et identifiée pour la première fois au Cameroun. La diversité génétique des isolats de C. neoformans a montré 14 types moléculaires, et 24% de patients étaient infectés par deux types moléculaires différents. Le génotype A est majoritaire dans les isolats de C. albicans et 65 types moléculaires différents ont été observés. L'analyse du polymorphisme du gène Hwp1 a permis de définir de nouveaux génotypes (H1-H6). Les souches de C. neoformans sont sensibles aux antifongiques testés. Une souche présente une sensibilité réduite à la 5-fluorocytosine et une autre au fluconazole. Des isolats issus du même patient peuvent présenter des sensibilités différentes aux antifongiques testés. Les isolats de C. albicans présentent une sensibilité aux antifongiques similaire à celle décrite dans la littérature. Il a été montré qu'il existe une relation entre la sensibilité à l'itraconazole et le génotype H chez les isolats de C. albicans (p-value <0,05). Les extraits de plantes présentent des activités inhibitrices contre les levures testées. Les fractions obtenues par fractionnement bio-guidé ont permis l'amélioration de l'activité de 7 extraits. La combinaison de ces subfractions a donné une combinaison synergique et fongicide dérivée de T. mantaly et de M. tenuifolia. En conclusion, ce travail apporte de nouvelles données sur la compréhension de l'épidémiologie moléculaire et de la sensibilité des isolats de C. neoformans et de Candida aux antifongiques à Yaoundé. L'étude des extraits de plantes semble être une voie prometteuse dans le développement de thérapies antifongiques alternatives

Potent and Synergistic Extract Combinations from Terminalia Catappa, Terminalia Mantaly and Monodora tenuifolia Against Pathogenic Yeasts

Mycoses caused by Candida and Cryptococcus species, associated with the advent of antifungal drug resistance have emerged as major health problems. Improved control measures and innovative therapies are needed. This paper describes results from the screening of bio-guided fractionated extracts alone and combinations of Terminalia catappa, Terminalia mantaly and Monodora tenuifolia harvested in Cameroon. Crude ethanolic, hydro-ethanolic and aqueous extracts and bio-guided fractions were screened for antifungal activity against isolates of C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and Cr. neoformans and the reference strain C. albicans NR-29450. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using a broth micro dilution method according to the Clinical &amp; Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Time kill kinetics of extracts alone and in combination were also evaluated. Extracts from T. mantaly stem bark were the most active with the best MIC values ranging from 0.04 mg/mL to 0.16 mg/mL. Synergistic interactions were observed with combinations of sub-fractions from M. tenuifolia, T. mantaly and T. catappa. Combination of sub-fractions from M. tenuifolia and T. mantaly (C36/C12) showed synergistic interaction and fungicidal effect against four out of five tested yeasts. These results support further investigation of medicinal plant extracts alone and in combination as starting points for the development of alternative antifungal therapy

Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from Yaoundé human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients exhibited intra-individual genetic diversity and variation in antifungal susceptibility profiles between isolates from the same patient

International audienceCryptococcal meningitis is a dreadful opportunistic fungal infection amongst human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. One complication in the management of the disease is the possible infection of a patient by two or more different strains of Cryptococcus neoformans. This study investigated the intra-individual genetic diversity and antifungal susceptibility of C. neoformans isolates from Yaoundé (Cameroon) HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Twenty-five clinical isolates were obtained during a prospective study. Five colonies were randomly collected from each initial sample. The 150 isolates obtained (125 colonies and 25 initial samples) were submitted to serotyping by multiplex PCR. Genotyping analyses were achieved using RFLP, and minisatellite- and microsatellite-length polymorphism. The antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out using a Sensititre YeastOne kit. Seven antifungals were tested: itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, 5-fluorocytosine, posaconazole and voriconazole. The 150 isolates were identified as C. neoformans serotype A and genotype VNI. The microsatellite and minisatellite sequence analyses generated 15 genotypes. Six out of 25 (24 %) patients were found to be infected by two different genotypes. Antifungal susceptibility showed several profiles: posaconazole (0.015-0.25 µg ml-1), amphotericin B (0.06-1 µg ml-1), fluconazole (0.5-16 µg ml-1), itraconazole (0.008-0.12 µg ml-1), ketoconazole (0.008-0.12 µg ml-1), 5-fluorocytosine (0.25-16 µg ml-1) and voriconazole (0.008-0.12 µg ml-1). It was noted that isolates from the same patient might present different susceptibility profiles to an antifungal drug with differences of more than four dilutions. The results achieved highlighted the possible presence of isolates with different genotypes in a patient with dissimilar antifungal susceptibility profiles during a single episode of cryptococcal meningitis

Epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility testing of non-albicans Candida species colonizing mucosae of HIV-infected patients in Yaoundé (Cameroon)

International audienceNon-albicans Candida (NAC) species have emerged as potent pathogenic yeasts among HIV-infected patients. Authors evaluated the epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility testing of non-albicansCandida species colonizing Yaoundé (capital of the Republic of Cameroon, Central Africa) HIV-infected patients. The mucosal specimens were collected and submitted to the mycological diagnosis. Yeast isolates were identified by the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation - Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The antifungal susceptibility testing was achieved by the CLSI-M27 protocols, and the interpretation of clinical break points (CBPs) and epidemiological cutoff values were in accordance with the CLSI-M60 and M59 recommendations. Four hundred and two patients were recruited and 1218 samples collected. The colonisation frequency was 24.1% and 304 yeasts isolated. Yeast isolates were 113 (37.2%) C. albicans, 2 (0.7%) C. africana and 172 (56.6%) NAC isolates. The NAC isolates were grouped into 13 species including C. krusei (18.1%), C. glabrata (10.9%), C. tropicalis (8.5%) and C. parapsilosis (5.9%) as the major ones. All the isolates appeared to be wild-type for amphotericin B and itraconazole. One (1/33) isolate of C. glabrata was resistant to fluconazole. C. arapsilosis isolates appeared all susceptible to fluconazole. C. tropicalis isolates presented 50% (13/26) resistance to fluconazole. The achieved results bring out new insights about epidemiology of NAC species in Cameroon. The results also highlight the resistance of NAC species to current antifungal drugs

Antifungal Resistance Profile, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence Factor Production in Candida krusei Isolates From HIV-Infected Patients in Cameroon

International audienc