Antibacterial and anticancer activity of a bioflavonoid fractionated from Allium Ascalonicum

Allium ascalonicum is a part of the diet of many populations of the world due to their long-held beliefs. A. ascalonicum extracts have been reported have antibacterial properties and prevent cancer cell proliferation. This study was conducted for the purpse of evaluating the anticancer and antibacterial activity of a flavonoid fraction isolated from A. ascalonicum bulbs.  The HeLa and HUVEC cells were used as target cell line and some gram negative and positive bacteria were also targeted for antimicrobial activity. The A. ascalonicum plant was collected from the Zagros Mountains in the north of Dezful city- Iran, in September 2016 and confirmed by School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. The water extract of bulbs of this plant was extracted and the flavonoid fraction was isolated from aquous extract by ethyl acetate. The antibacterial and anticancer effects of isolated falavonoid were determined using MIC and MTT respectively. The best antibacterial effect of falvonoid extracted from A.ascalonicum was found against C. diphtheria. Furthermore, gentamicin resistant P.aeruginosa was the most resistant pathogenic bacterium. The MTT method showed that this fraction had a concentration-dependent anti-proliferative activity on HeLa cell lines and there was no cytotoxic effect against HUVEC cells.      The inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) values of the A. ascalonicum extract for Hela cell was 3 mg/mL but the treatment of HUVECs with the A. ascalonicum showed no considerable effect. The flavonoid fraction of A.ascalonicum bulbs had remarkable antibacterial and anticancer properties. Therefore, it could be used as an antibacterial and anticancer agent for control of cancers and infectious diseases.

The antibacterial activity of Iranian plants extracts against metallo beta-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains

Metallo β-lactamases (MBLs) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) isolates are becoming an escalating global threat. Among the antibiotics used to treat infections associated with P. aeruginosa, resistance to carbapenem is a serious therapeutic challenge. The aim of the present study was to detect MBL-producing P. aeruginosa and to evaluate the extracts of Urtica. dioica, Carum. copticum, and Zataria multiflora on these clinical pathogens. The study was performed on hospitalized burn patients during 2014. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was tested by broth micro dilution and disc diffusion methods. The MBLs were detected using combination disk diffusion test (CDDT) phenotypically. Then, PCR and sequencing methods were carried out to detect the MBL encoding genes. Among 83 imipenem resistant P. aeruginosa strains, 48 (57.9%) isolates were MBL-producing P. aeruginosa. PCR and sequencing methods confirmed that these strains were blaIMP-1positive genes, whereas none were positive for blaVIM genes. Hospitalized burn patients with MBL-producing P.aeruginosa infection had 4/48 (8.3%) mortality rate. It was demonstrated that C. copticum, U. dioica, and Z. multiflora extracts had significant antibacterial effects on regular and IMP-producing P. aeruginosa strains. The prevalence of MBL-producing P .aeruginosa isolates in burn patients is very high. In this study, all MBL-producing strains encode the blaIMP-1gene. Therefore, detection of MBL-producing strains has major importance in identifying drug resistance patterns in P. aeruginosa and in controlling of infections. In the current study, the extracts from C. copticum, U. dioica, and Z. multiflora had high antibacterial effects against β-lactamase producing P. aeruginosa isolates.

Distribution of genes encoding resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramins among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from burn patients

The increasing resistance to macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B agents among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a worldwide problem for the health community. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ermA, ermB, ermC, and msrA in MRSA strains isolated from burn patients in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. A total of 76 isolates of S. aureus were collected from January to May 2017 from Taleghani Burn Hospital in Ahvaz. Among 76 S. aureus strains collected, 60 (78.9%) isolates were MRSA. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing for MRSA showed extreme high resistance rate to clarithromycin (100%) and azithromycin (100%), followed by erythromycin (98.3%). The PCR assay revealed that the frequency rates of msrA, ermA, and ermC genes were 23 (38.3%), 28 (46.7%), and 22 (36.7%), respectively. In addition, none of the MRSA isolates had the ermB gene. Because of the high prevalence of macrolide and lincosamide resistance found in MRSA isolates from infections of burn patients in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran, it is recommended that local periodic survey be performed for controlling the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance

Novel nano molten salt tetra-2,3-pyridiniumporphyrazinato-oxo-vanadium tricyanomethanide as a vanadium surface-free phthalocyanine catalyst: Application to Strecker synthesis of α-aminonitrile derivatives

Efficient and recyclable novel nano tetra-2,3-pyridiniumporphyrazinato-oxo-vanadium tricyanomethanide, {[VO(TPPA)][C(CN)3]4}, as a vanadium surface-free phthalocyanine-based molten salt catalyst was successfully designed, produced and used for the Strecker synthesis of α-aminonitrile derivatives through a one-pot three-component reaction between aromatic aldehydes, trimethylsilyl cyanide and aniline derivatives under neat conditions at 50 °C. This catalyst was well characterized using Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible, X-ray photoelectron and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopies, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalyst can be simply recovered and reused several times without significant loss of catalytic activity.We thank Bu‐Ali Sina University, Nahavand University, the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF, grant no. 95820271), the National Elites Foundation, the University of Alicante (VIGROB‐173) and the Spanish Ministerio de Economíay Competitividad (CTQ2015‐66624‐P) for financial support to our research groups

1H-imidazol-3-ium tricyanomethanide {[HIM]C(CN)3} as a nanostructured molten salt catalyst: application to the synthesis of pyrano[4,3‐b]pyrans

In this work, we have synthesized a novel nanostructured molten salt, 1H-imidazol-3-ium tricyanomethanide {[HIMI]C(CN)3} (1), as an efficient and green protocol-compatible catalyst. This new molten salt has been fully characterized by different analytical techniques, such as FT-IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, thermal gravimetric analysis, derivative thermal gravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, the catalytic activity of {[HIMI]C(CN)3} (1, 2 mol%) has been tested in a three-component domino Knoevenagel condensation reaction. A range of structurally diverse aromatic aldehydes (2a–p), malononitrile (3), and 4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one (4) are tolerated for the synthesis of 2-amino-7-methyl-5-oxo-4-aryl-4,5-dihydropyrano[4,3-b]pyran-3-carbonitrile derivatives (5a–p) under neat conditions at 50 °C. The obtained results have demonstrated that catalyst 1 shows interesting catalytic properties, such as clean reaction profile, cost-effectiveness, and green conditions. Importantly, the aforementioned catalyst is thermally stable with a 171 °C melting point not showing any significant loss in catalytic activity after 7 reaction cycles.We thank Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) (Grant of Allameh Tabataba’i’s Award, Grant Number BN093), National Elites Foundation, University of Alicante (VIGROB-173), and the Spanish Ministerio de Economíay Competitividad (CTQ2015-66624-P) for financial support to our research groups

Clonal dissemination of Staphylococcus aureus isolates causing nosocomial infections, Tehran, Iran

Objective(s): In the current research, the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus clones and genes encoding antimicrobial resistance and toxins were examined among 120 S. aureus strains from nosocomial infections in tehran, Iran.Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility was examined, based on disk diffusion and PCR method to identify resistance and toxin-encoding genes. Based on the polymorphisms in SCCmec, agr, spa, and MLST, the isolates were typed. Results: Among 120 S. aureus isolates, 85 (70.8%) were  methicilin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and 35 (29.2%) were methicilin sensetive S. aureus (MSSA). The tested isolates contained resistance genes, including ant(4΄)-Ia (90%), aac(6΄)-Ie/aph(2˝) (80%), aph(3΄)-IIIa (30%), erm(A) (26.7%), erm(B) (10.8%), erm(C) (11.7%), msr(A) (40.8%), msr(B) (14.2%), tet(M) (45.8%), and mupA (8.3%). The MRSA strains were clustered into six different clones. The most common genotypes included ST239-SCCmec III/t037 (23.3%), ST239-SCCmec III/t388 (22.5%), ST22-SCCmec IV/t790 (8.3%), ST15-SCCmec IV/t084 (7.5%), ST585-SCCmec III/t713 (5%), and ST239-SCCmec III/t924 (4.2%), respectively. ST182/t196 (8.3%) and ST123/t171 (5%) belonged exclusively to MSSA strains. Overall, 10 (66.7%) and 5 (33.3%) out of 15 isolates with pvl genes were attributed to clones ST22-SCCmec IV/t790 and ST15-SCCmec IV/t084, respectively. ST22-SCCmec IV/t790, ST239-SCCmec III/t037, and ST15-SCCmec IV/t084, were related to high-level mupirocin-resistant phenotypes.  Conclusion: The genetic diversity of S. aureus was confirmed in our hospitals, and ST239-SCCmec III/t037 showed a relatively high prevalence in our study. It seems that assessment of resistance and virulence genes in different S. aureus molecular types is necessary for proper antibiotic consumption

Synthesis and application of chitosan supported vanadium oxo in the synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines and 2,4,6-triarylpyridines via anomeric based oxidation

Chitosan, as a biopolymer, exhibits a strong affinity for complexation with suitable metal ions. Thus, it has received increased attention for the preparation of stable bioorganic–inorganic hybrid heterogeneous catalysts. Herein, a novel chitosan based vanadium oxo (ChVO) catalyst was prepared and fully characterized by several techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), derivative thermal gravimetric (DTG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The synthesized catalyst has been successfully used as a reusable catalyst in the synthesis of dihydropyridines and triarylpyridines.We thank Bu-Ali Sina University, Nahavand University, the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) (Grant No: 95831207) and the National Elites Foundation for financial support of our research group

Design, synthesis, and application of 1H-imidazol-3-ium trinitromethanide {[HIMI]C(NO2)3} as a recyclable nanostructured ionic liquid (NIL) catalyst for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitriles

In this study, 1H-imidazol-3-ium trinitromethanide (1) {[HIMI]C(NO2)3} as a green and recyclable catalyst based on nanostructure ionic liquid (NIL) was designed, synthesized, fully characterized by various analysis techniques, and applied as catalyst for the synthesis of 4-amino-1,2-dihydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile derivatives via one-pot three-component condensation reaction. The reaction tolerates a wide range of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents on aldehydes with malononitrile and 2-aminobenzimidazole at 50 °C under neat conditions. The described reaction is compatible with the green chemistry disciplines and their main advantages are short reaction time, high yields, simplicity of product isolation, and clean reaction profile. Additionally, the NIL catalyst (1) {[HIMI]C(NO2)3} can be readily recovered in the reaction vessel using a mixture of EtOAc/H2O (1:1) and reused for four consecutive runs without a significant loss in catalytic activity. The present study can open up a new and promising insight in the course of rational design, synthesis and applications of nanostructured task-specific ionic liquids (NTSILs) for numerous green purposes.We thank Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) (Grant number: 940124), National Elites Foundation, University of Alicante (VIGROB-173), and the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (CTQ2015-66624-P) for financial support to our research groups

Design and preparation of [4,4′-bipyridine]-1,1′-diium trinitromethanide (BPDTNM) as a novel nanosized ionic liquid catalyst: application to the synthesis of 1-(benzoimidazolylamino)methyl-2-naphthols

In this work, the novel bifunctional nanosized ionic liquid catalyst [4,4′-bipyridine]-1,1′-diium trinitromethanide (BPDTNM) was designed, synthesized, and characterized by using FT-IR spectra, 1H and 13C NMR spectra, X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) analysis, differential thermal analysis (DTA), and HPLC-mass spectroscopy. The synthesized nanosized catalyst was successfully applied to the synthesis of 1-(benzoimidazolylamino)methyl-2-naphthol derivatives via a straightforward one-pot three-component condensation reaction of 2-aminobenzimidazole, 2-naphthol, and a wide range of aromatic aldehydes under mild and solvent-free conditions.We thank Bu-Ali Sina University, the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) (The Grant of Allameh Tabataba’i’s Award, Grant Number: BN093), National Elites Foundation, the University of Alicante (VIGROB-173), and the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (CTQ2015-66624-P) for financial support to our research groups

Molecular detection of aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates

Acinetobacter baumannii is a major opportunistic pathogen in healthcare settings worldwide. In Iran, there are only few reports on the prevalence of aminoglycoside resistance genes among A. baumannii isolates. The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme (AME) genes from A. baumannii strains collected at a university teaching hospital in Iran. One hundred A. baumannii strains were collected between 2014 and 2015 from hospitalized patients at Loghman Hakim Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. The DNA was extracted using a kit obtained from Bioneer Co. (Korea) and was used as a template for polymerase chain reaction. The most active antimicrobial agent against these strains was colistin. The rate of extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance was 97%. The aadA1, aadB, aac(6′)-Ib, and aac(3)-IIa genes were found in 85%, 77%, 72%, and 68% of A. baumannii isolates, respectively. This study showed a high prevalence rate of AME genes in A. baumannii. This prevalence rate has explained that further aminoglycoside resistance genes may have role in the resistance of clinical isolates of A. baumannii. Therefore, control and treatment of serious infections caused by this opportunistic pathogen should be given more consideration