Antimicrobial Activity Research Articles

The effect of adding chitosan nanoparticles on different properties of the adhesive and high-filled composite resin

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of adding nano-chitosan on different properties of the adhesive and high-filled flowable composite resin (viewing the graphical abstract is suggested). BackgroundIncorporating chitosan might improve the quality of adhesive and high-filled composite resin used in the deep margin elevation (DME) and other restorative methods. Materials and methodsTwo groups of composite disks (without chitosan, with 1 % chitosan) were created to evaluate antimicrobial effects, degree of conversion (DC), solubility and water sorption. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated through biofilm inhibition and disk agar diffusion tests while DC was analyzed using FTIR. For the microshear bond strength test (μSBS), extracted maxillary molars were sectioned 1 mm under the CEJ, undergoing immediate dentin sealing and DME in four groups: control, pretreatment chitosan application, adhesive+1 % chitosan, and composite+1 % chitosan. The forces and the modes of failure were recorded. ResultsAdding chitosan nanoparticles increased the antimicrobial activity, significantly (p < 0.05). The μSBS and DC did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05), and the failures were mostly found in the adhesive mode. The solubility and water sorption increased significantly (p < 0.05), remaining in a clinically acceptable range though. ConclusionAdding chitosan could be a potential option to increase the antibacterial effect in the high-filled composite resin without any negative affect on μSBS or DC, and clinically unacceptable effect on solubility and water sorption. (The graphical abstract has been provided). Clinical significanceAdding chitosan nanoparticles to high-filled flowable composite resin, increases the success rate of related restorative technique by adding the antimicrobial effect without any significant negative influence on other biomechanical properties.

Micropollutants (ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin) remediation from wastewater through laccase derived from spent mushroom waste: Fate, toxicity, and degradation

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics frequently found in environmental matrices (wastewater treatment plants, hospital wastewater, industrial wastewater and surface wastewater) causes potential threat to the environment. Enzymatic treatment for degradation of antibiotics from environmental matrices is a green and sustainable approach. Focusing on this, this study aimed to degrade two frequently found fluroquinolone emergent pollutants, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin from wastewater. The trinuclear cluster of copper ions present in laccase has the ability to effectively remove organic micropollutants (OMPs). The uniqueness of this study is that it utilizes laccase enzyme extracted from spent mushroom waste (SMW) of P. florida for degradation of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin and to achieve highest degradation efficiency various parameters were tweaked such as pH (3–6), temperature (30 °C and 50 °C), and ABTS (0.05, 0.6, and 1 mM) concentration. The results showed that the most effective degradation of ciprofloxacin (86.12–75.94%) and norfloxacin (83.27–65.94%) was achieved in 3 h at pH 4.5, temperature 30 °C, and 2,2′-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 0.05 mM concentration. Nevertheless, achieving degradation at 50 °C for both antibiotics, indicates thermostability nature of laccase (P. florida). Further, the fate of transformed products obtained from laccase mediated degradation was confirmed by liquid chromatography (LC-MS). Both the antibiotics undergo decarboxylation, depiperylyzation, dealkylation and defluorination as a result of laccase-mediated bond breakage. Anti-microbial activity of the biodegraded products was monitored by residual anti-bacterial toxicity test (E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus). The biodegraded products were found to be non-toxic and resulted in the growth of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, as determined by the agar-diffusion method. Moreover, the storage stability of laccase was determined for 28-day duration at varying pH (3–10) and temperature (4–50 °C). The maximum storage stability was obtained at pH 4.5 and temperature 30 °C. Therefore, utilizing SMW for the degradation of OMPs from wastewater not only benefits in degradation but also reuses SMW agro waste, shedding light on agro waste management. Thus, SMW is a one-pot solution for both OMPs biodegradation and circularity in the economy.

Unlocking the Potential: PEGylation and Molecular Weight Reduction of Ionenes for Enhanced Antifungal Activity and Biocompatibility.

Numerous synthetic polymers, imitating natural antimicrobial peptides, have demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity, positioning them as potential candidates for new antimicrobial drugs. However, the high activity of these molecules often comes at the cost of elevated toxicity against eukaryotic organisms. In this study, a series of cationic ionenes with varying molecular weights to assess the influence of polymer chain length on ionene activity is investigated. To enhance polymer antimicrobial activity and limit toxicity a PEG side chain is introduced into the repeating unit. The resulting molecules consistently exhibited high activity against three model organisms: E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans. The incorporation of side PEG chain improves antifungal properties and biocompatibility, regardless of molecular weight. The most important finding of this work is that the reduction of polymer molecular mass led to increased antifungal activity and reduced cytotoxicity against HMF and MRC-5 cell lines simultaneously. As a result, the best-performing molecules reported herein displayed minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) as low as 2 and 0.0625µgmL1 for C. albicans and C. tropicalis respectively, demonstrating exceptional selectivity. It is plausible that some of described herein molecules can serve as potential lead candidates for new antifungal drugs.

“Antimicrobial Activity and Heavy Metal Removal from Wastewater Using Organically Functionalized Magnetic Chitosan Sorbents.”

“Antimicrobial Activity and Heavy Metal Removal from Wastewater Using Organically Functionalized Magnetic Chitosan Sorbents.”

Production and characterization of the lipopeptide with anti-adhesion for oral biofilm on the surface of titanium for dental implants.

Titanium implants are subject to bacterial adhesion and peri-implantitis induction, and biosurfactants bring a new alternative to the fight against infections. This work aimed to produce and characterize the biosurfactant from Bacillus subtilis ATCC 19,659, its anti-adhesion and antimicrobial activity, and cell viability. Anti-adhesion studies were carried out against Streptococcus sanguinis, Staphylococcus aureus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Proteus mirabilis as the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration. Cell viability was measured against osteoblast and fibroblast cells. The biosurfactant was classified as lipopeptide, with critical micelle concentration at 40µg mL- 1, and made the titanium surface less hydrophobic. The anti-adhesion effect was observed for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus sanguinis with 54% growth inhibition and presented a minimum inhibitory concentration of 15.7µg mL- 1 for Streptococcus sanguinis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. The lipopeptide had no cytotoxic effect and demonstrated high potential application against bacterial biofilms.

GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Phytochemicals in Kalanchoe lanceolata for Antimicrobial and Antidiabetic Activities

GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Phytochemicals in Kalanchoe lanceolata for Antimicrobial and Antidiabetic Activities

Characterization of the Ruminal Microbiota in Sheep and Goats Fed Different Levels of Tannin-Rich Sericea Lespedeza Hay.

Understanding ruminal microbiota and diet-host breed interactions under forage feeding conditions is essential for optimizing rumen fermentation and improving feed efficiency in small ruminants. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different ratios of condensed tannin (CT)-rich Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneate) in the diets on changes and interactions of ruminal microbiota and host species (i.e., sheep and goats). Katahdin sheep (n = 12) and Alpine goats (n = 12) at approximately 10 to 12 months of age were blocked by body weight (BW = 30.3kg and 25.5kg, respectively) and randomly assigned to one of the three treatments. Diets contained 75% coarsely ground forage and 25% concentrate. The forages were (1) 100% alfalfa hay (AL), (2) 100% Sericea lespedeza hay (SL), and (3) 50 % AL + 50% SL (ASL). In the present study, the diversity and composition of ruminal microbiota differed between sheep and goats fed similar diets. Based on the taxonomic analysis, there was a distinct clustering pattern (P < 0.05) for sheep by diets, but such a pattern was not observed for goats (P > 0.1). The most predominant phyla were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Ascomycota, and methanogen species of Methanobrevibactor sp. in the rumen of sheep and goats, regardless of diets. The Bacteroidetes and Ascomycota were enriched in sheep fed AL and ASL. In contrast, these microbial phyla were enhanced in goats fed tannin-rich SL diets, with the diet by host species interaction (P < 0.02) for the Bacteroidetes phylum. Sheep rumen fluid samples showed a higher degree of variability in microbial community composition compared to goat rumen fluid samples. The relative proportion of the Aspergillus fungi population was reduced to 90.7% in the SL group compared with the AL group, regardless of host species. The antimicrobial activity of tannins and greater sensitivities of selected microbiota species to these tannin compounds during SL feeding in sheep and goats perhaps caused this difference. The results from this study suggest that differences in the microbiota were associated with differences in diets and host species. Therefore, this study provides a better understanding of ruminal microbiota and diet-host species interactions under various tannin-rich diets, which could advance consolidative information on rumen microbiome community diversity changes and may improve sheep and goat production.

Subinhibitory concentrations of glabridin from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. reduce Listeria monocytogenes motility and hemolytic activity but do not exhibit antimicrobial activity

Subinhibitory concentrations of glabridin from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. reduce Listeria monocytogenes motility and hemolytic activity but do not exhibit antimicrobial activity

Chemical characterization and antibacterial activities of Brazilian propolis extracts from Apis mellifera bees and stingless bees (Meliponini).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical composition and antibacterial activity of Brazilian propolis extracts from different types, concentrations, and extraction solvents and from different regions in Brazil. A total of 21 samples were analyzed, comprising 14 samples from Apis mellifera (12 green, 1 brown, and 1 red) and 7 samples from stingless bees (3 mandaçaia, 2 jataí, 1 hebora, and 1 tubuna). The analyses performed were dry extract, total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS). The antibacterial activity was performed by Determination of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The results showed that very low levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity decreased the antimicrobial activity of the propolis extracts from tubuna and jataí. However, there was no correlation between the increase in propolis concentration in the extract, and the increase in antimicrobial activity. The highest TPC and antioxidant activity was obtained for green propolis extract made with 70% raw propolis that presented similar antibacterial activity to the samples formulated with 30% or less raw propolis. The aqueous propolis extract showed lower antimicrobial activity compared to the alcoholic extracts, indicating that ethanol is a better solvent for extracting the active compounds from propolis. It was observed that the MIC (0.06 to 0.2 mg/mL) and MBC (0.2 to 0.5 mg/mL) values for Gram-negative bacteria were higher compared to Gram-positive bacteria (MIC 0.001-0.2 mg/mL, and the MBC 0.02-0.5 mg/mL). The propolis extracts that exhibited the highest antimicrobial activities were from stingless bees hebora from the Distrito Federal (DF) and mandaçaia from Santa Catarina, showing comparable efficacy to samples 5, 6, and 7, which were the green propolis from the DF. Hence, these products can be considered an excellent source of bioactive compounds with the potential for utilization in both the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Antimicrobial peptide-fibrin glue mixture for treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-infected wounds.

Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fibrin glue-CM11 antibacterial peptide mixture (FG-P) on the healing of infected wounds in vivo. Materials & methods: We formulated a mixture of FG-P and evaluated its antimicrobial activity in vitro against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria involved in wound infection as well as its healing effect on wound infected by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in vivo. Results: The peptide had an MIC of 8μg/ml against all bacteria isolates. Growth inhibition zones were evident for FG-P compared with FG. The in vivo study showed that the FG-P could be significantly effective in healing the MRSA-infected wound. Conclusion: The use of FG-P mixture is a very suitable option for treating infected wounds.

Effects of Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles on the Morphology, Mechanical Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Dental Composites

AbstractHexagonal boron nitride (HBN), an artificial material with unique properties, is used in many industries. This article focuses on the extent to which hexagonal boron nitride and silica nanoparticles (MSN) affect the physicochemical and mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity of prepared dental composites. In this study, HBN, and MSN were used as additives in dental composites. 5% and 10% by weight of HBN are added to the structure of the composite materials. FTIR analysis were performed to determine the components of the produced boron nitride powders, hexagonal boron nitride-containing composites, and filling material applications. The structural and microstructural properties of dental composites have been extensively characterized using X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Surface morphology and distributions of nano boron nitride were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-EDS. In addition, the solubility of dental composites in water and their stability in water and chemical solution (Fenton) were determined by three repetitive experiments. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of dental composites was detected by using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) measurement, as well as Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) method against yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) method against bacteria strains, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Since the HMP series have better antimicrobial activity than the HP series, they are more suitable for preventing dental caries and for long-term use of dental composites. In addition, when HMP and HP series added to the composite are compared, HMP-containing dental composites have better physicochemical and mechanical properties and therefore have a high potential for commercialization.

BlpU is a broad-spectrum bacteriocin in Streptococcus thermophilus

Streptococcus thermophilus strain B59671 naturally produces thermophilin 110, a broad-spectrum bacteriocin encoded within the bacteriocin-like peptide (blp) gene cluster, and thermophilin 13 from a separate chromosomal locus. Analysis of the blp gene cluster revealed two genes, blpU and blpK, as potentially encoding bacteriocins. Deletion of blpK from the B59671 chromosome did not result in a loss of antimicrobial activity against either S. thermophilus ST113 or Pediococcus acidilactici F. A deletion mutant of blpU could not be generated in B59671, but the mature BlpU peptide obtained through overexpression in E. coli BL21 or chemical synthesis inhibited the growth of S. thermophilus strains, Streptococcus mutans UA159, P. acidilactici F, and Listeria innocua GV9 L-S, evidencing as a broad-spectrum bacteriocin that does not require modification for activity. This study also showed that the transcription of blpU was approximately 16-fold higher in B59671 than in an induced culture of S. thermophilus LMD-9, which produces a blp-encoded bacteriocin. The increased expression of BlpU in B59671 may explain the unique antimicrobial spectrum associated with this strain. Additionally, it was shown that a blpC deletion mutant of B59671, which prevents expression of BlpU and BlpK, inhibited the growth of other S. thermophilus strains and Bacillus cereus, suggesting that thermophilin 13 produced by B59671 possessed both intra- and interspecies antimicrobial activity. While this study confirmed that BlpU can function as an independent antimicrobial peptide, further studies are required to determine if BlpK can function independently as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial.

Antibacterial potential of Propolis: molecular docking, simulation and toxicity analysis

The issue of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic microbes is a global concern. This study was aimed to explore in silico and in vitro analysis of the antibacterial efficacy of different natural ligands against bacterial activity. The ligands included in the study were Propolis Neoflavanoide 1, Carvacrol, Cinnamaldehyde, Thymol, p-benzoquinone, and Ciprofloxacin (standard drug S*). The outcomes of molecular docking revealed that Propolis Neoflavaniode-1 showed a highly significant binding energy of − 7.1 and − 7.2 kcal/mol for the two gram-positive bacteria, as compared to the gram-negative bacteria. All ligands demonstrated acute toxicity (oral, dermal), except for Propolis Neoflavanoide 1 and S* drugs, with a confidence score range of 50–60%. Using a molecular dynamic simulation approach, we investigated Propolis Neoflavaniode-1’s potential for therapeutic use in more detail. An MD simulation lasting 100 ns was performed using the Desmond Simulation software to examine the conformational stability and steady state of Propolis Neoflavaniode-1 in protein molecule complexes. Additionally, in vitro studies confirmed the antimicrobial activity of Propolis Neoflavaniode 1 by increasing the zone of inhibition against Gram-positive bacteria, p < 0.005 as compared to gram-negative bacteria. This study revealed the promising antibacterial efficacy of Propolis Neoflavaniode 1, demonstrated through robust in silico analyses, minimal toxicity, and confirmed in vitro antimicrobial activity, suggesting its potential as a viable alternative to combat antibiotic resistance.

Litsea cubeba essential oil: Extraction, chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and applications in the food industry.

Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (Lauraceae) is a valuable industrial crop that produces essential oil. The essential oil extracted from L. cubeba (LCEO) has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and high antioxidant properties, with great potential for increased usage in the food industry. This literature review summarizes the extraction techniques, content and chemical composition, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of LCEO, with a focus on its usage in the food industry, which is an area of substantial recent research. The chemical composition of LCEO, which is affected by various factors, plays a key role in determining its bioactivity and usage in food. The potent antimicrobial activity of LCEO against various foodborne pathogens gives it potential for use in food packaging and preservation to extend shelf life. Future research challenges include the elucidation of the role and mechanism of individual chemical components of LCEO in inhibiting specific foodborne microorganisms; cultivar development to produce germplasm that yields essential oils of the desired chemical composition; and the development of commercial products that can be used in the food industry.

L-carnitine co-administration prevents colistin-induced mitochondrial permeability transition and reduces the risk of acute kidney injury in mice

Colistin is a polymyxin antibiotic currently experiencing renewed clinical interest due to its efficacy in the treatment of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections. The frequent onset of acute dose-dependent kidney injury, with the potential of leading to long-term renal damage, has limited its use and hampered adequate dosing regimens, increasing the risk of suboptimal plasma concentrations during treatment. The mechanism of colistin-induced renal toxicity has been postulated to stem from mitochondrial damage, yet there is no direct evidence of colistin acting as a mitochondrial toxin. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether colistin can directly induce mitochondrial toxicity and, if so, uncover the underlying molecular mechanism. We found that colistin leads to a rapid permeability transition of mitochondria isolated from mouse kidney that was fully prevented by co-incubation of the mitochondria with desensitizers of the mitochondrial transition pore cyclosporin A or L-carnitine. The protective effect of L-carnitine was confirmed in experiments in primary cultured mouse tubular cells. Consistently, the relative risk of colistin-induced kidney damage, calculated based on histological analysis as well as by the early marker of tubular kidney injury, Kim-1, was halved under co-administration with L-carnitine in vivo. Notably, L-carnitine neither affected the pharmacokinetics of colistin nor its antimicrobial activity against relevant bacterial strains. In conclusion, colistin targets the mitochondria and induces permeability transition thereof. L-carnitine prevents colistin-induced permeability transition in vitro. Moreover, L-carnitine co-administration confers partial nephroprotection in mice treated with colistin, without interfering with its pharmacokinetics and antibacterial activity.

Formulation and Evaluation of Toothpaste Combining Clove Flower Extract (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and Chamomile Flower Essential Oil (Matricaria chamomilla)

Introduction: Herbal remedies like clove and chamomile have been traditionally used for their potential oral health benefits. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a toothpaste combining clove flower extract (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and chamomile flower essential oil (Matricaria chamomilla) for its efficacy in promoting oral hygiene. Methods: Clove flower extract was obtained through ethanol extraction, while chamomile essential oil was procured commercially. Various toothpaste formulations (F1-F3) were prepared with varying concentrations of the herbal extracts, alongside a control formulation (F0) without the extracts. The formulations underwent comprehensive evaluation, including organoleptic assessment, pH determination, homogeneity testing, and foam height analysis. Additionally, antimicrobial activity against common oral pathogens (Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus) was assessed using the agar well diffusion method. Results: All formulations (F0-F3) exhibited acceptable organoleptic properties, pH levels within the safe range for oral use, and homogeneity. However, foam height varied among formulations, with F1-F3 showing lower foam compared to the control (F0). Notably, F2 and F3 demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against both S. mutans and S. aureus, suggesting their potential in combating oral pathogens. Conclusion: The combination of clove flower extract and chamomile essential oil in toothpaste formulations holds promise for enhancing oral hygiene due to their antimicrobial properties. Further research is warranted to optimize foam height and explore the long-term clinical effects of this herbal toothpaste.

Bioactive Peptides Derived from Whey Proteins for Health and Functional Beverages

Milk serves as a crucial source of natural bioactive compounds essential for human nutrition and health. The increased production of high-protein dairy products is a source of whey—a valuable secondary product that, along with other biologically valuable substances, contains significant amounts of whey proteins and is often irrationally used or not utilized at all. Acid whey, containing almost all whey proteins and approximately one-quarter of casein, presents a valuable raw material for generating peptides with potential health benefits. These peptides exhibit properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antihypertensive, antithrombotic, opioid, mineral-binding, and growth-stimulating activities, contributing to improved human immunity and the treatment of chronic diseases. Bioactive peptides can be produced by enzymatic hydrolysis using a variety of proteolytic enzymes, plant extracts, and microbial fermentation. With the participation of plant enzymes, peptides that inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme are most often obtained. The use of enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) produces more diverse peptides from different whey proteins with α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin as the main targets. The resulting peptides of varying lengths often have antimicrobial, antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic characteristics. Peptides produced by LAB are promising for use in medicine and the food industry as antioxidants and biopreservatives. Other beneficial properties of LAB-produced, whey-derived peptides have not yet been fully explored and remain to be studied. The development of whey drinks rich in bioactive peptides and based on the LAB proteolytic activity is underway. The strain specificity of LAB proteases opens up broad prospects for combining microorganisms to obtain products with the widest range of beneficial properties.

Preparation, properties, and antibacterial application of dialdehyde carboxymethyl cross‐linked sesbania gum

AbstractSuitably modified sesbania gum as a biodegradable functional biomaterials was very attractive in many applications. Therefore, a combination of cross‐linking, carboxymethylation, and oxidation was chosen to modify sesbania gum (SG) to expand its use. The experimental results indicated that cross‐linking could be completed not only on SG particles, but also between different SG particles. The cross‐linking decreased the number of surface hydroxyl groups on SG. The sedimentation volume decreased with the increase of phosphorus content of cross‐linked sesbania gum (CLSG). The structure of SG particles was severely disrupted by carboxymethylation and oxidation, while the structure was less affected by cross‐linking. The viscosities of SG and modified SG paste in acidic medium were less than those in neutral medium, while their viscosities in alkaline medium were more than those in neutral medium. Cross‐linking, carboxymethylation, and oxidation could ameliorate the retrogradation of SG, but decrease its swelling power, freeze–thaw stability, acid, and alkaline resistance. The aldehyde groups had good antibacterial activity against Trichoderma harzianum, whereas the carboxymethyl groups and phosphate ester groups showed poor antimicrobial activity against T. harzianum.

Phyllanthus niruri Linn.: Antibacterial Activity, Phytochemistry, and Enhanced Antibiotic Combinatorial Strategies

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat caused by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. It leads to infections becoming difficult to treat, causing serious illness, disability, and death. Current antibiotic development is slow, with only 25% of current antibiotics exhibiting novel mechanisms against critical pathogens. Traditional medicinal plants’ secondary metabolites offer potential for developing novel antibacterial compounds. These compounds, often with strong antimicrobial activity, can be used to develop safe and effective antibacterial chemotherapies. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of Phyllanthus niruri Linn. extracts against a panel of bacterial pathogens using disc diffusion and microdilution assays and quantified by calculation of minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). Additionally, the effects of combinations of the extracts and selected conventional antibiotics were examined by sum of fractional inhibition concentration (ƩFIC) calculation and isobologram analysis. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) phytochemistry analysis was used to identify noteworthy compounds in the active extracts and the Artemia nauplii bioassay was used to evaluate toxicity. The aqueous and methanolic extracts exhibited notable antibacterial activity in the broth microdilution assay against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (MIC = 669 µg/mL and 738 µg/mL, respectively). The methanolic extract also showed noteworthy antibacterial action in the broth assay against Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC = 738 µg/mL). The aqueous extract had noteworthy growth inhibitory activity against Bacillus cereus (MIC = 669 µg/mL), whilst the methanolic extract demonstrated good antibacterial activity against that bacterium (MIC = 184 µg/mL). The aqueous and methanol extracts showed minimal antibacterial action against Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei. The extracts were subjected to LC-MS analysis, which revealed several interesting phytochemicals, including a variety of flavonoids and tannins. The antibacterial activity and lack of toxicity of the P. niruri extracts indicates that they may be worthwhile targets for antibiotic development and further mechanistic and phytochemistry studies are required.

Insights into the tissue repair features of MAIT cells

Mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a subset of innate-like non-conventional T cells characterized by multifunctionality. In addition to their well-recognized antimicrobial activity, increasing attention is being drawn towards their roles in tissue homeostasis and repair. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these functions remain incompletely understood and are still subject to ongoing exploration. Currently, it appears that the tissue localization of MAIT cells and the nature of the diseases or stimuli, whether acute or chronic, may induce a dynamic interplay between their pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory, or pathogenic and reparative functions. Therefore, elucidating the conditions and mechanisms of MAIT cells’ reparative functions is crucial for fully maximizing their protective effects and advancing future MAIT-related therapies. In this review, we will comprehensively discuss the establishment and potential mechanisms of their tissue repair functions as well as the translational application prospects and current challenges in this field.