Synergistic mutual potentiation of antifungal activity of Zuccagnia punctata Cav. and Larrea nitida Cav. extracts in clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata

Background: Zuccagnia punctata Cav. (Fabaceae) and Larrea nitida Cav. (Zygophyllaceae) are indistinctly or jointly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of fungal-related infections. Although their dichloromethane (DCM) extract have demonstrated moderate antifungal activities when tested on their own, antifungal properties of combinations of both plants have not been assessed previously. Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish with statistical rigor whether Z. punctata (ZpE) and L. nitida DCM extract (LnE) interact synergistically against the clinically important fungi Candida albicans and Candida glabrata and to characterize the most synergistic combinations. Study design: For synergism assessment, the statistical-based Boik's design was applied. Eight ZpE–LnE fixed-ratio mixtures were prepared from four different months of 1 year and tested against Candida strains. Lϕ (Loewe index) of each mixture at different fractions affected (ϕ) allowed for the finding of the most synergistic combinations, which were characterized by HPLC fingerprint and by the quantitation of the selected marker compounds. Methods: Lϕ and confidence intervals were determined in vitro with the MixLow method, once the estimated parameters from the dose–response curves of independent extracts and mixtures, were obtained. Markers (four flavonoids for ZpE and three lignans for LnE) were quantified in each extract and their combinations, with a valid HPLC–UV method. The 3D-HPLC profiles of the most synergistic mixtures were obtained by HPLC–DAD. Results: Three over four IC50ZpE/IC50LnE fixed-ratio mixtures displayed synergistic interactions at effect levels ϕ > 0.5 against C. albicans. The dosis of the most synergistic (Lϕ = 0.62) mixture was 65.96 µg/ml (ZpE = 28%; LnE = 72%) containing 8 and 36% of flavonoids and lignans respectively. On the other hand, one over four IC50ZpE/IC50LnE mixtures displays synergistic interactions at ϕ > 0.5 against C. glabrata. The dosis of the most synergistic (Lϕ = 0.67) mixture was 168.23 µg/ml (ZpE = 27%; LnE = 73%) with 9.7 and 31.6% of flavonoids and lignans respectively. Conclusions: Studies with the statistical-based MixLow method, allowed for the finding of the most ZpE–LnE synergistic mixtures, giving support to a proper joint use of both antifungal herbs in traditional medicine.Fil: Butassi, Estefanía. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ivancovich, Juan J.. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, Alejandro A.. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Zacchino, Susana Alicia Stella. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Synthesis, characterization and antifungal assessment of optically active bis-organotin compounds derived from (S)-BINOL diesters

Background: Organotin(IV) derivatives have appeared recently as potential biologically active metallopharmaceuticals exhibiting a variety of therapeutic activities. Hence, it is important to study the synthesis of new organotin compounds with low toxicity that may be of pharmacological interest.Objectives:This study focuses on the synthesis of new bis-stannylated derivatives with C2 symmetry that could be tested as antifungal agents against two clinical important fungal species, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans.Methods:The radical addition of triorganotin hydrides (R3SnH) and diorganotin chlorohydrides (R2ClSnH) to bis-α,β-unsaturated diesters derived from (S)-BINOL led to the corresponding new bis-stannylated derivatives with C2 symmetry. Nine pure organotin compounds were synthesized with defined stereochemistry. Four of them were enantiomerically pure and four were diastereoisomeric mixtures.Results:All new organotin compounds were fully characterized, those with phenyl ligands bonded to tin were the most active compounds against both the strains (Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans), with activity parameters of IC50 close to those of the reference drug (amphotericin B).Conclusion:Nine pure organotin compounds with C2 symmetry were synthesized with defined stereochemistry and their antifungal properties were tested against two clinical important fungi with IC values close to those of the reference drug. The structure-containing preferably two or three phenyl groups joined to the tin atom were highly active against both the strains compared with those possessing tri-n-butyl groups.Fil: Costantino, Andrea Rosana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Neudörfl, Jörg M.. Universitat zu Köln; Alemania. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Ocampo, Romina Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Zacchino, Susana Alicia Stella. Universitat zu Köln; AlemaniaFil: Koll, Liliana Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Mandolesi, Sandra Delia. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentin

Evaluation of the antifungal photodynamic activity of Thymophylla pentachaeta extracts against Candida albicans and its virulence factors

Background: Candida albicans is one of the most common causative of opportunistic infections. Treatment of candidiasis is challenging considering the few antifungal drugs available and the increase in resistance. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a recently developed therapeutic option that combines a non-toxic photosensitizer (PS) and light to kill the microbial pathogens. Targeting virulence, defined as the ability of a pathogen to cause overt disease, represents another attractive target for the development of novel antifungal agents. Thymophylla pentachaeta (DC.) Small var. belenidium (DC.) is an endemic plant from Argentina in which the presence of thiophenes, biologically active compounds whose antifungal activity is enhanced by irradiation with Ultraviolet A (UVA), have been already described. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the photodynamic antifungal activity of hexane (Hex), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanol (MeOH) extracts from T. pentachaeta var. belenidium and their inhibitory effects on C. albicans virulence factors as well as biofilm formation and eradication. Study Design/Methods: Antifungal photodynamic activity of Hex, DCM, EtOAc and MeOH extracts from different parts of the plant were assessed with the microbroth dilution, bioautography and the time-kill assays, under light and darkness conditions. The capacities of the most active extracts of inhibiting Candida virulence factors (adherence to epithelial cells, germ tube and pseudomycelium formation and hydrolytic enzyme secretion) were assessed. In addition, the activity against biofilm formation and eradication has been investigated by reaction with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) that quantifies living cells in these structures. Results: Hex and DCM extracts from T. pentachaeta roots exhibited high photodynamic antifungal activity against C. albicans [Minimal fungicide concentrations (MFCs)= 7.8 µg/ml] under UVA light irradiation. Chemical analysis of active extracts (Hex and DCM from roots) revealed the presence of photoactive thiophenes. Both extracts generate reactive oxygen species through type I and II mechanisms. These extracts, at sub-inhibitory concentrations, under light conditions decreased the adherence of C. albicans to Buccal Epithelial Cells (BEC), inhibited germ tube formation and reduced esterase production. Finally, they demonstrated activity against preformed biofilms submitted to irradiation (MFCs= 3.91 µg/ml and 15.63 µg/ml for Hex and DCM extracts, respectively). Conclusion: Taking together, results demonstrated the strong photodynamic effects of T. pentachaeta root extracts under UVA irradiation, making them valuable alternatives to the already established antifungal drugs against C. albicans.Fil: Cordisco, Estefanía. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Petenatti, Elisa Margarita. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Sortino, Maximiliano Andrés. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentin

Fungal biofilms as a valuable target for the discovery of natural products that cope with the resistance of medically important fungi—Latest findings

The development of new antifungal agents that target biofilms is an urgent need. Natural products, mainly from the plant kingdom, represent an invaluable source of these entities. The present review provides an update (2017–May 2021) on the available information on essential oils, propolis, extracts from plants, algae, lichens and microorganisms, compounds from different natural sources and nanosystems containing natural products with the capacity to in vitro or in vivo modulate fungal biofilms. The search yielded 42 articles; seven involved essential oils, two Brazilian propolis, six plant extracts and one of each, extracts from lichens and algae/cyanobacteria. Twenty articles deal with the antibiofilm effect of pure natural compounds, with 10 of them including studies of the mechanism of action and five dealing with natural compounds included in nanosystems. Thirty‐seven manuscripts evaluated Candida spp. biofilms and two tested Fusarium and Cryptococcus spp. Only one manuscript involved Aspergillus fumigatus. From the data presented here, it is clear that the search of natural products with activity against fungal biofilms has been a highly active area of research in recent years. However, it also reveals the necessity of deepening the studies by (i) evaluating the effect of natural products on biofilms formed by the newly emerged and worrisome health‐care associated fungi, C. auris, as well as on other non‐albicans Candida spp., Cryptococcus sp. and filamentous fungi; (ii) elucidating the mechanisms of action of the most active natural products; (iii) increasing the in vivo testing.Fil: Butassi, Estefanía. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Carpinella, Maria Cecilia. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos Naturales y Sustentabilidad José Sanchez Labrador S. J. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos Naturales y Sustentabilidad José Sanchez Labrador S. J.; ArgentinaFil: Efferth, Thomas. Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz; AlemaniaFil: Zacchino, Susana Alicia Stella. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentin

In vitro and ex vivo effect of hyaluronic acid on erythrocyte flow properties

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hyaluronic acid (HA) is present in many tissues; its presence in serum may be related to certain inflammatory conditions, tissue damage, sepsis, liver malfunction and some malignancies. In the present work, our goal was to investigate the significance of hyaluronic acid effect on erythrocyte flow properties. Therefore we performed <it>in vitro </it>experiments incubating red blood cells (RBCs) with several HA concentrations. Afterwards, in order to corroborate the pathophysiological significance of the results obtained, we replicated the <it>in vitro </it>experiment with <it>ex vivo </it>RBCs from diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, a serum HA-increasing pathology.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Erythrocyte deformability (by filtration through nucleopore membranes) and erythrocyte aggregability (EA) were tested on blood from healthy donors additioned with purified HA. EA was measured by transmitted light and analyzed with a mathematical model yielding two parameters, the aggregation rate and the size of the aggregates. Conformational changes of cytoskeleton proteins were estimated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR).</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>In vitro</it>, erythrocytes treated with HA showed increased rigidity index (RI) and reduced aggregability, situation strongly related to the rigidization of the membrane cytoskeleton triggered by HA, as shown by EPR results. Also, a significant correlation (r: 0.77, p < 0.00001) was found between RI and serum HA in RA patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results lead us to postulate the hypothesis that HA interacts with the erythrocyte surface leading to modifications in erythrocyte rheological and flow properties, both <it>ex vivo </it>and <it>in vitro</it>.</p

Chitosan-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose tioconazole films: A promising alternative dosage form for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis

Vaginal candidiasis is considered a frequent opportunistic mucosal infection and the second most common cause of vaginitis after bacterial vaginosis. In this work, different vaginal films based on chitosan, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and blends of these polymers containing tioconazole, were developed and thoroughly characterized to improve the conventional therapeutics of vaginal candidiasis. Mechanical properties, swelling, adhesiveness, morphology, antifungal activity, hemocompatibility and cytotoxicity were evaluated. The drug solid state in the films was analyzed by thermal and X-ray diffraction analysis. Films showed homogeneous surfaces and presented similar mechanical properties and adhesiveness. Time-kill studies displayed that films were more active than both tioconazole pure drug and traditional tioconazole ovule against Candida albicans, which is probably related to the fact that tioconazole is in amorphous state inside the films. Although all formulations proved to be hemocompatible, films based only on chitosan exhibited a certain degree of cytotoxicity and therefore they should be avoided. The system based on chitosan-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose with 40% PEG 400 as plasticizer presented fast antimicrobial activity as well as the lowest swelling. Additionally, this formulation did not produce substantial hemolytic and cytotoxic effects, indicating that films based on chitosan-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose could be a promising alternative dosage form for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.Fil: Calvo, Natalia Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Vera Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga, Ariel Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Lamas, Maria Celina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Leonardi, Darío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; Argentin

Effect of drug incorporation technique and polymer combination on the performance of biopolymeric antifungal buccal films

Numerous films with a dissolved or dispersed active principle within a polymeric matrix have been described in literature. However, the incorporation of solid crystals into the films may influence several relevant properties. Additionally, it has been reported that different polymeric matrices lead to films presenting a different performance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the combination of chitosan with carrageenan (κ-, λ-, and ι-) as matrices, and of the miconazole nitrate incorporation method, on the films behavior. Mechanical properties, drug release and antifungal activity were evaluated. The state of the drug in the films was analyzed by different techniques. Films showed a homogeneous surface and a thermal protective effect on the drug. The combination of chitosan and λ-carrageenan leads to films with the highest values of tensile and mucoadhesive strength. Films with solubilized drug displayed slightly higher elongation at break, tensile and mucoadhesive strength and faster drug release than those with suspended miconazole nitrate. However, no differences were found regarding the antifungal activity of the different formulations including time-to-kill curves.Fil: Tejada Jacob, Guillermo Ivan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Lamas, Maria Celina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Salomon, Claudio Javier. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Vera Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Leonardi, Darío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; Argentin

Botanical control of citrus green mold and peach brown rot on fruits assays using a persicaria acuminata phytochemically characterized extract

Persicaria acuminata (Polygonaceae) is a perennial herb that grows in the central area of Argentina and it is commonly used by native populations to heal infected wounds and other conditions related to fungal infections. In this article, we explored the in vitro antifungal activity of its ethyl acetate extract against a panel of three fruit phytopathogenic fungi including: Penicillium digitatum, P. italicum, and Monilinia fructicola. The sesquiterpenes isolated from the extract were also evaluated against these strains, demonstrating that the dialdehyde polygodial was the responsible for this activity. In order to encourage the use of the extract rather than the pure compound, we displayed ex vivo assays using fresh oranges and peaches inoculated with P. digitatum and M. fructicola, respectively, and subsequently treated by immersion with an extract solution of 250 and 62.5 µg/mL, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatments with commercial fungicides and the extract over the control of both fruit rots. The concentration of the active compound present in the extract used on fruit experiments was determined by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy. Finally, cytotoxicity evaluation against Huh7 cells showed that P. acuminata extract was less cytotoxic than the commercial fungicides at the assayed concentrations. After these findings we could conclude that a chemically characterized extract of P. acuminata should be further developed to treat fungal diseases in fruits from an agro-ecological model.Fil: Di Liberto, Melina Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Seimandi, Gisela Marisol. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral. - Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Laura Noemí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral. - Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, Verónica Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral. - Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; ArgentinaFil: Derita, Marcos Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentin

Control of Brown Rot Produced by Monilinia fructicola in Peaches Using a Full-Spectrum Extract of Zuccagnia punctata Cav

Brown rot of stone fruit, caused by Monilinia spp., is one of the most important diseases worldwide, causing significant production losses. Currently, the standard practices for controlling this infection consist of repetitive use of synthetic fungicides. The global tendency encourages the demand for high-quality food products harmless to health and the environment, leading to a reduction in the use of these types of substances. Zuccagnia punctata (Fabaceae) is a perennial shrub extensively used for the treatment of fungal and bacterial infections in Argentinean traditional medicine. In this study, we isolated and characterized (morphologically and molecularly) a pathogenic and virulent strain of Monilinia fructicola, which is the most hostile species of the genus. Consequently, we explored the in vitro antifungal activity of the ethanolic extract of Z. punctata against this phytopathogen. The chalcones 2′,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methoxychalcone and 2′,4′-dihydroxychalcone were isolated from the extract and evaluated against M. fructicola demonstrating that they were responsible for this activity. To promote full-spectrum extract rather than pure compounds, we performed ex-vivo assays using fresh peaches inoculated with the pathogen, and then treated by immersion in an extract solution of 250 µg/mL concentration. Treatment with Z. punctata extract did not show a statistically significant difference from commercial fungicides in the control of fruit rot. In addition, Huh7 cell cytotoxicity evaluation showed that Z. punctata extract was less cytotoxic than commercial fungicides at the assayed concentrations. Based on our research, this plant extract could potentially offer a safer alternative to commercial fungicides for treating peach brown rot.Fil: Di Liberto, Melina Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Stegmayer, María Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Laura Noemí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga, Ariel Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Derita, Marcos Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral; Argentin

Development and optimization of a new tioconazole vaginal mucoadhesive film using an experimental design strategy. Physicochemical and biological characterization

A new tioconazole (TCZ) mucoadhesive film, based on a biodegradable chitosan/ hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (CH/HPMC) blend, was developed for treatment of vaginal candidiasis. The formulation was optimized through an I-optimal design (minimizing the integral of the prediction variance across the factor space), where the impact of the proportion of the ingredients and processing variables on the quality of the final product was evaluated. Both, the thickness of the film and the swelling index, which affect patients’ comfort and compliance, were considered. Mechanical testing, such as load at break, elongation at break, and mucoadhesive strength were also included as dependent variables. The optimal mucoadhesive film formulation, which should be obtained at a drying temperature of 30 °C, was found to include the combination of CH and HPMC (forming polymers) at 0.25:0.75 ratio, a mixture of polyethylene glycol 400 and propylene glycol as plasticizers (0.07:0.93, 5% w/w), and TCZ loaded at 15 % w/w. The optimal preparation was subjected to exhaustive characterization studies, which revealed that the drug was entrapped in the polymeric matrix in an amorphous state and that the film exhibited a smooth and uniform surface, demonstrating excellent component compatibility. In vitro tests showed that the formulation has an excellent time to kill value (3 min) and lacks cytotoxicity, suggesting that it should be highly effective and safe.Fil: Calvo, Natalia Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Tejada Jacob, Guillermo Ivan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga, Ariel Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Vera Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Lamas, Maria Celina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Leonardi, Darío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Argentin